The Jackson Family Online

We’re back to Jackson’s house again…was much colder today in Chicago, but overall can’t complain the weather while we were there was unseasonably nice. Today we walked to Navy Pier, had to take some time to thaw out once we got there:). We enjoyed doing some final shopping…and then we took the trolley around the city kind of for a last hurrah before picking up our luggage and returning to the Amtrak station. Overall we had a great three days in Chicago and I’m grateful for how well everything went. Got back into Flint tonight around 9:30pm. The kids are bouncing off the walls currently and hoping to stay up til midnight to ring in the new year and all…me personally…I’m more than ready to go to bed and probably will. Just knowing that I have to drive 10 hours tomorrow exhausts me before I even get started…you know how it is…you drive all that way, then you have to unload the car, unpack, go through the mail, etc. It will be good to get home though…and I’m so glad we have three days til school starts again. I need it.

Martha (Mark’s mom) and I are going to start a “Daniel fast” on Monday. It’s 21 days with just water, fruits and vegetables. Anyway else want to join with us:)?

I bought and finished reading a book today called “Leaving the Saints” How I lost the Mormons and Found My faith by Martha Beck. Was very interesting to say the least. I just never knew a whole lot about the mormon faith and couldn’t imagine what it was like to be raised in it, so it gave me a whole new perspective. Her story involved some abuse that was done to her by her father growing up who was a prominent church leader in the mormon faith, may still be for all I know. I loved this quote from her book “I’ve learned that the worst pain, fear, and torment I’ve ever experienced has only deepened my ability to experience joy. I feel this even when I’m hurting, because while pain and pleasure are mutually exclusive, pain and joy are not.” (I’ve sensed that deepening in my own life and so that whole thought just resounded with me…truth sets us free)and then later, “Pain reminds me to return to the deep, calm, gentle sea, so that I find myself crying because I’m happy, and because I’m sad, but never because I’m in despair. Once you’re sure that God is waiting in the acceptance of every true thing, even pain, I’m not sure despair is even possible.” (The whole point being that once we know we can trust God…it doesn’t really matter what comes our way and pain can almost be a welcome thing when we realize it draws us closer to God.) Good thoughts.

Hope your day was great and that you have wonderful plans for New Year’s Eve. As for me…I’m heading to bed. Tomorrow we hit the road…

Love,

Ruth

Maryanne…the popcorn was wonderful…even bought some more today for the amtrak ride home:)

Another great day in Chicago. I think I actually slept close to twelve hours last night…felt good:). Started off the morning with starbucks…and then we hit the stores…we were actually the first to arrive at the Disney store this morning…we should’ve received a prize or something don’t you think:)? We made some much needed purchases…well maybe need isn’t the right word but you know what I mean and then headed down to the Water Tower Mall area where we hit up a few stores for some more much needed purchases. Then it was to American Doll for Lunch…what a great experience, the decorations were amazing, the food wonderful, they even had little questions on the table on slips of paper for conversation starters that were a lot of fun to go around and answer. The whole thing was a great experience and clearly one of those memories that will be cemented in our minds for a long time to come. Lydia is loving having her doll and has carried her with her all day today. Currently the girls are all swimming with Grandma (o.k. Grandma isn’t actually swimming but she is in the room:). I think tonight we will go catch a movie and then maybe eat dinner at The Rainforest Cafe. We’ll probably go to Navy Pier tomorrow and shop again…and then head out at 3pm on the Amtrak back to Michigan. Hard to believe but our time with family is fast coming to a close. It’s all been wonderful…always good to go home again too…I’m looking forward to having a few days at home before school starts up. I have the curious feeling that my basement might have gotten flooded at some time while I’ve been gone so…that might be a situation that I need to clean up…I’m not too worried about it…can’t be worse than the whole freezer situation last summer. That was an all time high awful nasty experience that I don’t think can be topped!

Lauren was having a hard time today again about her weight…and I already know my situation clearly…so I have a feeling that we will again try to start the New Year off by trying to get into shape. I’m more motivated when I want to help her feel good about herself than just focusing on myself. I hate the fact that my habits have probably effected her for the worse. So…I don’t know…maybe we’ll join Weight watchers or something…we’ve got to do something. Her main goal for this year is to be able to get into a two piece swimsuit by the summer…so…we’ve got our work cut out for us. I don’t have to be in a two piece but would like to feel good about getting into a swimsuit period. It’s that normal time of year again to start fresh, have a clean slate. Feels good…Truthfully that’s one of the best things about being saved…the new start we get each day.

My new coined phrase for the girls lately has been “Let me see some G-O-D in you” We’ve been talking a lot about how we talk, look, act when we act out of our own selfishness vs. when we talk, act  when we are allowing God to live inside of us and take control. I love going up to the girls on the occasions when it’s clear that they’ve acted in a God honoring way and just letting them know I can see G-O-D in them. Sometimes I think we almost need someone else to point it out to us so we understand what it looks like, feels like to be all we were made to be. I can still remember and have held on to it all these years a letter that my dad wrote to me one summer before I was even married so probably 20 years ago…the letter was simply written because as we were working in the kitchen that year at Alpena Camp together as a family my dad noticed that I was behaving differently, having more of a servant’s attitude, etc. he noticed and took the time to write me and express how he could see God in me…it touched me deeply, my dad didn’t write a lot of letters to me…in fact it’s the only one that I think I’ve hung on to over the years…but it was and is special to me. I want to be able to do the same for my girls. Truthfully…I’ve been thinking that I need to do more of that kind of thing for many more people in my life. I need to write other kids, other adults, family, friends, etc. more and let them know what I see going on in their lives and encourage them to let GOD shine through and acknowledge it when I do see it happening. That’s one of those thoughts that passes through my brain but doesn’t always get done…I hope to do more of it this year though. People need to be encouraged…I need to be encouraged…One of the questions today from our lunch was what one goal would you like to accomplish this year…the weight thing is always a no brainer answer…but I found it interesting when my girls both piped up and hoped that the goal I would accomplish is to be asked out…you can’t tell me that my girls aren’t ready for a man…and I’m ready too…wonder what God has planned. I’m open…not open to just anything…but open to a man who has GOD shining through.

Hope your day has been wonderful!

Love,

Ruth

Today I woke up bright and early (around 4am) to start getting ready to amtrak to Chicago. The train ride went great, got a chance to just relax and read a book with no interruptions which was nice as the kids were occupied with their cousin and grandma. We even arrived early into Chicago which is unheard of when you’re riding the train. Then we were whisked away in a taxi to arrive at our hotel…that’s always the part of the trip that gives me the most anxiety, but I’m getting more used to it all the time and it all worked out perfectly. We were early to check in so…we stored our luggage and started shopping the Magnificent Mile:). Of course the kids loved the Disney Store…and then we found the American Girl store and Lydia bought her doll “Felicity” along with a few outfits. That was her big 10 year old birthday gift from me so she was happy about that. I enjoyed going to Border’s and picking out a new book for the ride home:). I could spend a lot of time easily at a bookstore if I just had the time to peruse the store. By then we were feeling the effects of waking up so early so we headed back to check into our hotel and the kids went swimming while Martha and I visited. I did put on my swimsuit…but when the kids said the water was cold I knew there was no point in my even thinking I would try to get in, which was fine with me. And now we just got back from having a wonderful dinner, with melt in your mouth chocolate cake, hot fudge and ice cream…ooolala:). It’s so fun to try different  things when you’re on vacation. Lauren wore her school sweatshirt and one of our waitors happened to grow up in Alton, IL so he seemed to really enjoy having someone from his home town at his table which was kind of cool. The girls even asked if i knew him since we had an unusually long conversation. We’re off to bed early tonight…it’s 5:30pm IL time as I write and we’re ready to put some jammies on and watch tv and call it a night. We did pick up some Garrett’s popcorn for a snack …Mary Anne…you would be impressed our hotel is right next door to the Garrett’s store, I thought that was kind of ironic as she had told me before I came to make sure I got some of their popcorn while I was here.

Tomorrow we are headed back out to do some more shopping and to eat at The American Girl Store for lunch, then maybe take in a movie, go to Navy Pier, or just come back to the hotel, who knows…the weather is great! No snow, and actually quite pleasant and the lights are beautiful. Such atmosphere. I am so thankful that I have been able to take my kids so many places and show them so much of the world…or at least it seems like it since I didn’t go many places when i was a kid.

I figured out that I’ve now been in all but nine states…Haven’t been to North Dakota…not sure that would really be worth the trip, haven’t been to Deleware or new Jersey…maybe if we take an East Road Trip in a year or two. Haven’t been to Mississippi or Louisiana…maybe sometime on a missions trip we’ll go…since groups still go down there quite a bit to help with the hurricane damage. Haven’t been to Colorado or utah…just couldn’t fit it all in last summer…those two states could probably be a trip in themselves truthfully. And I haven’t been to Alaska or Hawaii. I fully plan to take a cruise someday to Alaska and enjoy some time on the beach at some point in my life at Hawaii. And that’s just the U.S. so many other places out there that would be great to go to as well. Anyway…like I said I’m grateful that I’ve been able to take my kids to many places, eat at unique places, enjoy many forms of transportation, etc. And to be able to do that kind of thing with other family members along is always special, just adds to the memory.

I hope your Monday has been great!

Love,

Ruth

I’m back to Mark’s parent’s house now, after a really nice relaxing weekend with my family. We stayed in a lodge where each family had their own sleeping area/bathroom but we were still all in the same building for a nice big common area to play games, read books, put together three jigsaw puzzles and eat a lot of good food. We even had a hymn book and an old piano on hand so my sister Mary Anne and my sister in-law Amy and I serenaded the rest of the family with every Christmas carol in the hymnbook…o.k. we did skip a few as we didn’t recognize them but we easily sang through over 20 songs. I never get a chance to do that with my family much anymore, but music was a huge part of my growing up, at church and at home so it’s always nice to kind of go back to my roots. Us three girls just got our starting pitch for every song and sang the rest accapella and I have to say it is such a gift to sing with people who can make beautiful music the first run through…and sisters voices…well they just blend like they were made to sing together, I can even say that about Amy even though we’re inlaws:). Gives me a small glimpse of what singing and music will be like in heaven someday. All of our kids played so well together, we had a Wii game system set up so a lot of bowling went on…my mom even played:). We also played Euchre and Rook…Mary anne and I were a team, while we did amazing in Euchre we didnt’ do so hot in Rook…I guess we just need more practice:). We laughed, talked, had some silent moments, and wow the food…we all need to go on a diet this week that’s for sure. It’s such a gift to be a part of a family where it’s a joy to be together for two nights and days. In fact it was over all too soon. When I said goodbye to my parents today it was harder than it usually is for me. I wanted to sob but tried to hold it in. I guess…somewhere in the back of my mind I’m realizing they are getting older and I’m having all of those natural instincts kick in where I want to make sure they are taken care of…all a normal part of the circle of life I guess. I found myself asking them “If you need anything you would tell me right?” To which they assured me they would…made me think of days gone by when they were asking me the same question. I can’t take anything for granted and as I pulled out, while I have the hope of the fact that I know we will always have eternity to share…each time we say goodbye I sense that their days are fast going by and if I didn’t have my mom or dad in my life it would be a huge hole for me. For whatever reason today it just hit me hard. I know I’ve stated this before or at least alluded to it many times…my parents have never been well off, financially speaking…it’s just a fact of life…my dad was a pastor, my mom a stay at home mom for the most part and even in their older years money has not become an easier issue for them. I so easily am tempted to ache for them. And yet…maybe it’s my skewed way of looking at things that is more of an issue, because when I looked in my dad’s eyes today…he said to me “We have more than enough…” So…I pulled out and again put them in God’s hands. It’s hard to know that I won’t be back up to Michigan until July…I love where we live and can’t imagine moving, but it is hard to be so far away from family, especially when I love my family like I do.

I picked up a bible that I’m going to use for this next year yesterday. It’s a promise bible and is set up where an Old Testament, New Testament and a Psalm section are all grouped together each day and each day a “promise” is highlighted. For some reason I’ve been drawn to learning the promises of God lately…they’re the only guarantee we have, so I guess I just want to make sure I’m putting all of my eggs in the right basket so to speak.

I’m currently doing laundry and repacking once again…trying to narrow it down to one suitcase for our trip to Chicago tomorrow. We get on the train at 6:30am and won’t get back until Wednesday evening around 9:30pm and then we drive home on Thursday. Looks like the weather won’t be too bad in Chicago which is nice as we’ll be doing some walking downtown.

 Hope your week get’s off to a great start!

Love,

Ruth

Happy Day After Christmas:).

I’m sure some of you are out shopping even as I type, getting all of your Christmas stuff for next year. I looked at the ads but decided nothing was worth the effort this morning. I’m in the process of finishing laundry and repacking so that we can head out today to Sommerset campground for a couple of days with my family. On Saturday we will actually celebrate our Christmas together.

Last night I took the girls to see “Bed Time Stories”, it was a cute movie and they seemed to enjoy it. Once in awhile it’s fun to go to the late show just for something different.

No real big news otherwise…I probably won’t have computer access again til Sunday so…I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Love,

Ruth

The days of vacation are fast flying by. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Hope you have a wonderful day together. I’m at the Jackson family house and right now Martha (Mark’s mom) is making a wonderful breakfast of bisquits and gravy:) which is a personal favorite of mine. I tend to go for highly nutritional meals:).

Went to the Clio Christmas Eve Service last night and it was very nice. My sister Mary Anne was involved with the choir. She happened to be in a car accident yesterday with herself on a slushy slippery road and ended up totaling out their mini van in the process of ending up in a ditch with several trees. The trees were a good thing as their was a pond not to far from the ditch that they could’ve ended up in if the trees hadn’t broken the skid. The story is much more detailed when she tells it… but the main thing is that her and her daughter Jaimie were unharmed and even the family dog seemed to survive it all with no problem. So…they are now in the process of probably getting another vehicle at an unexpected time…Remember those thoughts on expectations last week…a lot of monetary issues sure just seem to rise when least expected. Good to know nothing takes God by surprise.

I’ve done a lot of reading in the past day or two, finished two books and am on my third. Being at the Jackson family house is generally relaxing. The kids are contented to play. Yesterday they opened their last gift from me which was the “Guitar praise” from Family Christian Store, kind of like Guitar Hero but with Christian songs. They’ve been enjoying it, me too actually:). I think later this evening I may take them in to the movies to catch “Bedtime Stories”. When the hubbub of the day is winding down.

Tomorrow I head down to Somerset Campground to spend the weekend with my family. I’m looking forward to us all being together (Except Becky and her family) and just playing games, working on puzzles, laughing, remembering, eating, and playing outside. I think it will be a lot of fun. And we will also celebrate our Christmas down there. And then the girls and I will be heading to Chicago with Martha and Sadie for a couple of days, and before you know it, it will be time to head back to home. Time flies.

I’m thinking that my 21 day fast might revolve around pouring myself into a greater understanding and committing to memory the promises of God. I need to develop a greater understanding of the expectations I can hang my hat on so that when things don’t turn out like I might want them to…I’m not shaken.

It’s my second Christmas without Mark. Hard to believe but true. And it’s one more Christmas I’m closer to going home:).

Hope your day is great!

Love,

Ruth

Just finished reading “Multiple Blessings” by Jon and Kate Gosselin. Wow…quite a story of having eight children all within three years of each other. (One set of twins first and then sextuplets…) And the mom actually still looks great on the cover of the book:). It’s always good to read about the God things that are  happening in other people’s lives…I would be interested to hear them tell their story (they do a lot of public speaking I think), and to see them in person.

It’s another snowy day here in michigan which is fine with me. We’re just hanging out at the Jackson’s house. The kids are enjoying playing with their cousins. In the middle of this sentence I had to go rescue Lydia’s talking ball out of Grandpa’s well…that was exciting:). But all good now. Anyway…tonight we’re going to the Christmas Eve service at Clio, my sister is directing the music there for that and since I never get to be a part of watching her do her thing I decided to go tonight. The girls will open there last gift from me today. It’s a Guitar Hero thing from the Family Christian Bookstore. They’ve wanted one for a long time but I just couldn’t go along with the secular one…to on the edge clothing wise, etc. but am glad to see people make one with Christian music, hope they enjoy it.

No real big news beyond that…I’m enjoying the relaxing days of break. Hope you are too.

Love,

Ruth

I haven’t blogged for five days…my how time flies. As you can probably guess we made it safe and sound up to my parent’s house. I ran into some ice on the road between Ft. Wayne and the Michigan border so decided to stop at Coldwater, MI. and then we drove the rest of the way on Saturday morning. We had a great time visiting with extended “Dennings” family on Saturday…I rarely ever see my aunts and uncles anymore so it was a treat to catch up on their lives, and good for my kids to meet and get to know them a little. Just so good to be with family. We have gotten more and more snow ever since I’ve been here…it’s deep and windy and cold but the kids have had fun playing in it none the less.

Sunday church service was about our “Everlasting Father”. It was a good service, hit Lauren hard…I wish she could put into words what she is feeling in those moments but it’s hard for her to do so. I just think it would help her work through some of her “holes” in her life. Maybe in time. She has a lot of her dad in her and he always had a hard time working through those kind of feelings too. I was able to go to my brother Jim’s Sunday School class and as always thoroughly enjoyed it. He is still going through the book of Luke and was on chapter 6 about the beatitudes and the woes that follow. I was able to think some new thoughts, which I always enjoy. And I’m so thankful that as I look at my family, my brothers and sisters, my parents, nieces and nephews etc. I so clearly see God’s hand on us and am so grateful. People tend to want to seek riches, popularity, enjoyment, etc. and think they have it all when they’ve arrived to a certain level. I’m aware that means very little to me and in fact I’m all about seeking “God’s blessing” while I seek being poor for him, seek being hungry, persecuted and mourning. When I look at my family I don’t see great riches, I don’t see anybody that’s a celebrity and famous in this world’s eyes, I don’t see anybody who has it all by this world’s standards but I do see a family of six children who are all adults now living lives of integrity and service. I see a family who enjoys spending time together. A family who becomes stronger as time goes on and a family that rises up and blesses it’s parents. I could feel sorry for my mom and dad, easily…they have always struggled…never had much and have worked so hard over the years…but I told them again this past week…that I’m discovering they really are rich, rich in the things that matter. They have six kids who would do anything for them…six kids who are serving the Lord in their various realms of life and six kids who have stood strong in the face of some situations that very well could’ve pulled the rug on their faith. What more can a parent want for…really. So, I’m grateful and thankful. I’m a part of a great family. The kids have been so enjoying time with their cousins.

Today we’ve come on over to Mark’s parent’s house. Lydia is out on her 10 year old date with Grandpa to Frankenmuth. It’s very cold and snowy but I have to give him credit he still was willing to take her…even taking her on a carriage ride. He did wear long underwear under his suit:). Lydia even had her hair all done up and looked like a red headed Cinderella.

I was able to have a long conversation with my dad this week about my family history. Just never knew much about my family beyond my grandparents and I’ve discovered that my grandparents were pretty much the first generation of Christians in my family…and I can see how their decision to live for Christ effected my whole family as I look at the rest of the family that didn’t make that decision…it’s amazing to see how much we’ve been protected from. I’m thankful for God’s grace.

I’m thinking that I may do a “Daniel” fast starting in January…water/fruits and vegetables for 21 days. We’ll see. I’m not so worried about it at this point…I know I can do it if I set out to do  it. So probably will.

Anyway, I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season. I just wanted to write and tell you God is good and I’ve missed you (whoever you are that actually read this:)

Love,

Ruth

The weather is not real encouraging at the moment…between the freezing rain coming down outside my window as I type and the weather forecasts in Michigan…I can tell they’re going to get a doozy of a storm. Just read about the weather and it says…only travel if it is for an emergency…6-10 inches is fairly significant and it’s all supposed to come down from 4am Friday morning to 4pm Friday afternoon…and then I come through…I’m going to guess already that I’ll be wishing I had opted for the four wheel drive on my vehicle. It’s amazing really how little it takes to slip around…especially on the ice we’ve had lately. Hopefully finding a hotel room won’t be an issue…Mark and I have had it happen to us before where we drove until we were beyond exhaustion only to stop at an exit with hotels to find that every hotel was full…that’s why I generally like to make reservations ahead of time but this is one of those times when I’m just not sure where I would want the reservation to be. So…I guess I’ll just have to go with my gut instincts on the whole deal…and hopefully be tuned in to that still small voice. I can tell I’m going to need a massage already:). Mary Anne…Saturday…backrub…:). She is so good at them!

We’re packed up for the most part…well the girls are and that’s the biggest thing. Lauren likes to pack her own stuff so I like to make sure that’s finished early on…I can generally throw myself together pretty quickly. Between the presents, luggage, pillows and blankets…well the car will be as usual fairly full. So glad I opted for space…I’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating:).

My grades for the semester are even done…I didn’t have to get them done tonight but for whatever reason I just didn’t want that sitting on my back the whole time I’m on break. I’ve had some really difficult situations at work lately and I just really need a break from it all. Lauren is being put in some awkward situations as I had a feeling she might be…it seems that not everybody is thrilled with Mrs. Jackson the choir teacher and so they talk about me in their other classes… how strict I am…which I find really interesting since I rarely if ever right up a referral…it’s hard for Lauren though as she wants to jump to my defense. I told her…don’t worry Lauren…I take it as a compliment if they think I’m strict…that means I’m doing my job and basically that means…Mrs. Jackson doesn’t let us have our own way. I had a parent call me up last night and found out her daughter has been coming home from choir upset and thinking I don’t like her…she’s been hanging out with the troublemakers in my class and being brought down by them and has seemed unhappy in choir so I encouraged her that if she didn’t like choir anymore to drop…in the process I guess she felt like maybe I didnt’ want her there…so thankfully I had a good talk with her mom and then it worked out perfect where I was able to catch her in the hall today to talk with her one on one. I’ve also had a student who is going to drop…has been planning on it since before Thanksgiving and has been giving me daily grief for easily the past six weeks suddenly get in my face this week and threaten me with staying on in choir…I think it really ticked her off that she was looking for me to explode or something and I didn’t…I was on the inside…but somehow through the grace of God…it didn’t come out…I did get all of my ducks in a row and it’s a done deal…she’s done for the rest of the year. Praise God. It’s a hard reality but I can’t connect with every student that comes my way…and sometimes I just have to let some go…often those students later are the ones who will stop and say hi to me in the hall or in public. Then I had a group of five girls who want to join choir next semester…I like to check a little on their character before I just have them join…because once they’re in…I’m the one who has to deal with the problems…so I was asking them some questions, said I was going to check in with their elementary music teachers and get their input…all valid stuff…but because they are black…they and some of their parents without me realizing it made it out that I was just trying to keep black kids out of the choir. Unbelievable…my choir is very mixed and I frankly don’t care what color you are…I’m much more interested in attitude and behavior…character traits. I consider my choir to be the best of the school and to act accordingly. So…after their parents came in to talk with my principal about it all…I think it’s resolved at this point and they are joining but I have to wonder what I’m getting myself into…It’s just been one of those times where not only have I had a lot of programs to deal with…and end of the semester grades…but also a lot of interpersonal stuff between parents, kids, principals, etc. Thankfully…somehow in just two and a half short years I’ve been able to through the grace of God establish myself enough that I seem to be anchored. I’ve been let go before though so…it’s always a possibility that I realize is there. I told Lauren today…if they told me tomorrow that I had to leave…I would…and I’m confident that I could find something somewhere else and make it just fine. I have a feeling theirs not a long line of people who are just waiting around to do the job I do everyday. One day in my shoes and most normal sane people would be begging to leave:). I’ve also been teaching alone a lot lately…for a variety of reasons. But it’s hard enough at this time of year…but once the programs are done…the kids are done but classes are not done so…it can get a little off the chain. Today thankfully I had a brainstorm and ended up having the kids perform familiar CHristmas songs in small groups for extra credit and by golly it created a whole new incentive plan for me this next semester. The kids looked at me and literally said “Mrs. Jackson…can we do this every Friday…” I can’t really afford to blow off every Friday but I have decided to do some kind of talent show once a month for extra credit. It’s an easy thing for me and it’s eye opening for me to see them do what they create for themselves. Lauren’s also going through the whole issue that some of the kids in choir don’t like the songs I chose for the spring music…which is unbelievable…as I tried to choose songs that they would connect with. But these days either kids love Hannah Montana, and High School Musical kind of stuff or they think they’re too cool for it…their is rarely an inbetween so…they were complaining about it to Lauren today…which again made her feel terrible and like she had to defend me. I don’t care personally…my feeling is I play the music for the kids ahead of time…if you don’t like it drop the class. This isn’t a restaurant where you get to pick and choose…And I have such a huge variety of culture and standard of living in my choir that it makes a huge difference too…so I have half the choir loving the new music and can’t wait to do it and half that I guess think it’s dorky and are probably going to complain the whole time. It’s just been one of those times lately where I could just pitch the whole thing, walk away and not look back and be just fine. Frankly…I’ve taken my share of abuse lately from kids…when I come back in January…I’m going to have to again tighten up the ship and hold the line til summer. Sometimes I just get worn out of holding the line and want to abandon the whole thing. I’ve seen a lot of improvement in my team teacher and yet…I’m a little frustrated there…she’s becoming more and more lax about showing up on time or even showing up at all…which again leaves me on my own, to fend for myself. I can do it…I have done it…I can survive anything and will make it…but it sure makes it much more exhausting and then little things start getting under my skin. So…clearly it’s time for a break and thankfully…tomorrow it comes…sixteen days off from it all!! TOmorrow I’m going to Lydia’s school for her first orchestra concert. Thankfully it worked out in my schedule so that I can get away from my school for a bit to see her play.

Saturday will be a family gathering…Sunday Lydia’s birthday and church…and Monday I’m going to spend some time with my sister Mary anne…we’re taking a little road trip and maybe we’ll catch a movie…Twilight:). Tuesday we head over to Mark’s parents house to spend the next three days. And then it’s back and forth a little until New Year’s Day when we come home. Somehow by that time I’m sure I’ll be regrouped and ready to go into battle again. Whoever thinks teaching is easy…clearly has not actually taught middle school…:). And I guess it’s a little intensified with having Lauren there…I’m glad she is and so is she…but believe it or not…not everybody likes Mrs. Jackson…I know that’s hard to imagine:).

Maybe a snow day tomorrow…if so that would make our journey a little easier for me…just to get started out earlier and have more daylight hours…either way we’ll be fine.

Love,

Ruth

Read back through my blogs from yesterday this morning and wow…I’m kind of an intense person don’t you think:). Sorry…but it’s true and probably not going to change anytime soon. I could just see Mark saying again to me…”Ruth you’re like a deep ocean and I’m like a person tubing down a shallow river, when we communicate with each other…” He did try though:).

Just read the weather report for Michigan tomorrow…and it says “Heavy snow”…that’s not exactly what I would call an encouraging sign for a ten hour trip, with half of it being night driving…of course the night driving is where most of the heavy snow is going to come…so…we may very well stop on the way. I may be crazy but I do know my limits when it comes to driving that far…and truthfully nothing is going to grind to a stop if we’re not there right at the appointed time. So…we’ll just see how it goes. I know the kids will be thrilled, they’re tired of this ice stuff and ready for some snow.

Just ran Lydia’s birthday treat up to school for her…cookie cake and soda…so she’s thrilled. Tonight it’s all about shutting down the house and packing up the car so we can be on the road by 1:45pm tomorrow if all goes like I think it will. It always feels good to hit the road…I dread the packing up, and the unpacking, but the in between time makes it worth it. It’s time for us to have some time surrounded by family…unhurried time together. We’re ready:)!

Hope your day is great…

Ruth