September Updates

We've been busy since school started at the beginning of August.  The kids are doing great in school so far and overall, are liking their teachers and classes.  Rachel was even awarded one of the Student's of the Month again this year for August!

Jackson is playing on a new team for soccer this year.  He wanted to do something that was at a higher level than what he's been getting at Little River in the spring.  This is just a rec league (not competition) but the coaching is much better and they are doing good so far.  He is enjoying it. 

They had their first camping trip of the season a couple of weeks ago.  Michael and Jackson went for the weekend (it was super hot and it stormed all night the first night) and Rachel and I came out Saturday night for dinner and the campfire.  Jackson's group prepared dinner for everyone Saturday night.  He basically did the dessert by himself - it turned out really tasty too!

Competing in the Raingutter Rigatta.

This past week was mine and the kids' fall break so we had the week off.  We went to the beach for a few days finally (haven't been in 2 years so it had been a while).  We had a great time!  Grandpa was there for the first day and then we were on our own.  We spent most of our time out at the ocean - the waves were more fun the second and third days and we all enjoyed playing in it.  

And because they played so hard each day, they crashed early each night.  This was Jackson the first night at 8:30.  He grabbed a blanket and covered himself up and slept on the couch for an hour before going to bed.  

We enjoyed our time there but came home on Wednesday.  Thursday was my 40th birthday!  It's been a while since I didn't have to work on my birthday, so this was nice.  The kids had decorated the living room with balloons and made my breakfast that morning.  This was on the TV that morning when I came in:

I enjoyed my free Starbucks in the morning and watched Diners on TV (my favorite!), got a free meal at Moe's for lunch and we went to dinner with Barbara, Dawson and Nannette that evening.  

We also planned a fun night out with some of my closest friends for last night.  We went to Red Sky Tapas and Bar and they had a dueling piano show which was fun.  We had reserved a private lounge room that we were able to hang out in so we were still able to talk and have a good time.  My friend Shannon brought me a "40th" necklace to wear.

Friday, Barbara and Dawson took the kids to the Georgia Aquarium for the day (as a reward for reading every day this summer).  They both enjoyed that.  

September is over and we are moving into fall - hopefully the temperatures will start to align with the season as well - it has been so ridiculously hot here every day.  We are so tired of the hot temps.  

New Beginnings 2019

Rachel and Jackson went back to school on August 1st this year.  Rachel is now in 7th grade and Jackson is in the 4th.  I was able to go to Jackson's Meet-n-Greet to meet his new teacher, Mrs. Bell. She's new to our school this year but so far Jackson really likes her. He's wearing his cub scout uniform because he sat in the cafeteria for a couple of hours with his leaders trying to 

recruit new members.  

And this was the first day of school.  This summer he was really nervous about 4th grade, 

but he got over that and has done really well so far.  

And I wasn't there when Rachel left so I made her take pictures with her friend, Bella.  

The weekend after Jackson's birthday, we went to the Dude Perfect show for Jackson's birthday.  

That was a lot of fun and we had great seats!  

The cardboard cut-outs we saw ahead of time were very life-like!  

Jackson loves Panda, of course. 

And many of you know, I made a HUGE change in my life this past month.  I quit my job of 16 years and started something new.  This was my last day at Holder Properties.  I meant to take pictures of more of the others, or at least get a group shot, but I forgot... These are two of my closest friends, Kim and Ryan...just as I was about to pull out for the last time.

My last day was on a Thursday and I started my new job at on Monday.  I am working at a high school in Cobb County as a Records Clerk.  It's an entry level position but I get all of the kids' breaks off as well - which is what I really wanted.  I was hoping for something a little less stressful and that is definitely not the case.  The first week was bad...really bad.  But this past week I think I've finally turned the corner.  It's not quite as bad as it was...

This was my first day going to school - I took pictures like I make the kids take on their first days...

And this was when I got there for the first time.  

It's been a crazy few weeks.  We're almost through the first month of school.  The kids are liking their classes and getting in the swing of things.  Rachel started the new swim season two weeks ago and Jackson starts a new soccer league tomorrow.  Things are busy - as always!