Happy New Year!

I thought I'd welcome 2010 with a new look for our blog! It's from Leelou Blogs and it was totally free! Just delete the old one and copy and paste the new design, so easy! I can't believe my last post was in November. How do some girls find the time to post everyday? I spent December catching up from working in November and getting ready for Christmas, then the kids have been on break for the last two weeks so like everyone else we've been super busy. We had a great Christmas and New Year's with both sides of the family. The weather was good with only a few snow flurries and everyone stayed healthy. I was sad to say good-bye to the kids who returned to school this morning. Usually, I'm so ready for them to go back and return to our normal routine. Not sure what's wrong with me, maybe just getting older and realizing my time with them at home is growing shorter! You know, I am turning 40 in a few short months!

It's sunny today, but freeeeeezing cold outside so I plan to stay in and try to tackle this mound of laundry, find a home for all these new Christmas gifts and put a few decorations away. I'm going to try not to think about how quiet my house is, but instead watch the clock for 2:30 when it's time to go get my sweet 3. I bet I won't be ready then! Happy Monday, friends!

I'm Back...

Well, we made it! We all survived 6 weeks of me teaching 1st grade! Let me just say it was an interesting 6 weeks with a bunch of crazy kids and I am so glad it's over. It was a great learning experience for me and I was challenged to be a better teacher because of it, but I am not ready to be a full-time teacher and part-time mom anytime soon. I'd much rather work for free as a full-time mom and keep my sanity than make "lots of money" teaching and end up in the funny farm! Maybe I'll share some of my crazy experiences in the classroom in a blog post soon. I'm sure you'd love to hear my stories about everything from head lice checks to shoes being thrown at me to finding "sexiest fantasies" perfume in a 6-year-old's desk! Let me just say I am so thankful for the life, husband and kids God has given me. I am blessed!

I am scheduled to sub for them again several days in the coming weeks as the teacher will be out getting treatments. I think I can handle a day here and there. Maybe that won't be quite as exciting!

We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving at home this year just celebrating with Mark's family. My side of the family will spend Christmas together this year so we didn't get to see them for Thanksgiving. We spent the weekend decorating the outside of our house for Christmas and now I'm starting to work on the inside since the kids are back in school. Thought I'd decorate our blog for the season too. Enjoy the Christmas music!

Workin' 9 to 5!

Just a quick note to let you know the Strickland's are fine! Sorry we were stuck on that sick day post for so long, but I have not had one extra minute to post anything new. I was asked to sub at Lydia's school for a first-grade teacher who will be out for surgery for six weeks and I still can't believe I said yes! Am I insane? I haven't taught school in 14 years! I just finished my first week and am beyond exhausted, my house is a total wreck and my boys are even having to help do their own laundry! So, we are in a serious period of adjustment in this home and you probably won't hear much from me until Thanksgiving when my job is over. I'm just praying this teacher returns because when my 6 weeks is up, I am outta there! Wish me luck and that I won't catch any of the flu germs that are flying around my room!

Sick Days

Fall is here and that means cooler temps, colored leaves, apple cider, flu shots and the arrival of germs! And we are not happy about it! The school nurse called Monday afternoon and said Levi had a fever and cough, please come get him. She was sure it was the flu since she'd sent 5 kids home that day with the same symptoms. The flu test showed NO flu so we are super excited about that. Just a virus that acts like the flu. So, the last couple of days Levi's been going puzzle-crazy and finished three 550-piece puzzles! He's been pretty bummed because he hates to miss school and he hasn't been able to play with his cousins who are here visiting from KC. He's much better today and should be back to school tomorrow. Now, we're just crossing our fingers that no one else gets it!

We don't have time for sickness around here with our crazy life. We've been busy with soccer tournaments in St. Louis, getting a new heating and air system installed at our house, Mark having to rebuild the computer system at work due to a virus, and just the normal daily stuff for school and church. I've been subbing quite a bit and still trying to get adjusted to this "working mom" thing. I think I got spoiled being home for 14 years! I still can't complain since I'm only working a couple days a week, if that.

We are off to the pumpkin patch tomorrow with Lydia's Kindergarten class--IF everyone stays healthy and the rain stays away! Stay tuned for pictures!

Tiger Spirit Day!

Every Friday is Spirit Day at the kids' schools, so they wear orange and black Tiger colors. Here's Lydia before school this morning. Mark thought she looked too cute in her braids so he took some pictures on their way out the door! She informed me that she needs some "pretty" Spirit day clothes. Not too sure where I'll find orange and black pretty clothes, but I'm on the hunt!

Welcome Baby Hope...

Proud big brothers Noah & Josiah with new baby sister Hope Louise!


We have a new baby girl in the Strickland family! No, we did NOT have a baby but Mark's sister Resa and her husband Wayne did! So we have a new niece and baby girl cousin. Lydia is thrilled with another girl since she and Abby are way outnumbered by a bunch of Strickland boys! Hope is the baby sister to Noah and Josiah and we can't wait to hold her. She was born Friday when my kids left for Kansas City for the holiday weekend and they all came home sick with croup and sinus junk so they haven't even been able to see her yet. Welcome Baby Hope! We are happy you are here!

Back to School 2009

Showing off their new backpacks stuffed full of supplies!



Lydia's first day of Kindergarten. Standing in line with her teacher.



Lydia's new locker. Lydia's school cubbie.



Ready to start the day and NO tears from Lydia or Mom or Dad!!!




Caleb is ready for 8th grade at the Jr. High. He had no idea we took this picture!



Levi started 5th grade at the Middle School. "No picture of me either, Dad!"


Wow! 3 kids in 3 different schools this year! I think it's going to be a full-time job running carpools and keeping everyone's schedules straight. We have 2 days down and everyone is off to a great start. The boys were ready to go back and Lydia is excited about Kindergarten. I've had a child home with me for 14 years straight so my house is about to become way too quiet. Although I've already been a lunch volunteer both days at her school and I have to sub 3 days this week, so I think I'll stay pretty busy. I've got a to-do list a mile long of projects around the house just in case I get bored!

I love writing on my blog so I'm hoping to do a bloggy make-over soon and update a little more often than once a month! So, stay tuned for a new look coming Fall 2009!