Katelyn is 9

My baby is nine! 

For breakfast before school, she had the usual Eggo waffle with sprinkles. She also wore this t-shirt and headband from last year. 

After school, she was supposed to have soccer practice, but when we were halfway there, it was canceled. I pivoted and took her to Chickfila, just the two of us!  

After Chickfila, we headed back home. We sang and had cake and ice cream. 

Her party was the next weekend. We planned the best birthday party, and it was perfect... except for the mosquitos. Katelyn wanted to have an outdoor movie pool party, so we made it Hawaiian-themed and watched Moana (Moana 2 came out the next month). 

Before the festivities, we took a bunch of fun pics. 

The girls had the best time. We did fruit kebabs, popcorn, and popsicles. They each got a lei and a fruit floatie to take home. 

She got soooo many presents. I'm glad we don't do parties every year. So much stuff. She loved it all, of course. 

Happy birthday, Princess! 

New Job!

In July, my position in gifted & talented that I used to have at our elementary school opened back up, but instead of being a teacher's aide position, it was a salaried-teacher position. I applied, interviewed and got it! I got my old room back, and it has been a whirlwind ever since.

Since quitting the position - not due to the responsibilities but due to the abysmally low-pay - I have interviewed for many other positions. I had my heart set on each one, and then I didn't get it. It was heart breaking. 

I lack confidence on the best of days, so I decided to give up teaching altogether. In fact, I secured a beginning position with a home organizing company in June. (Which was super fun, and I am going to sub-in each summer with them when we are on school break.)

Unfortunately, we have been feeling a lot of financial strain for about a year now. My $1000/month in sub pay had become essential, but we had a lot of expenses ahead of us - a car and car insurance for Collin, repairs for my cursed Expedition, aging house repairs, etc. Not to mention my usual desires to improve the house and go on fun vacations! 

Anyway, securing a salaried position with benefits and quadruple the income was a huge blessing. Not to mention, I get to teach Ethan and Katelyn and their friends each day, I get most of the days off the kids get off, I get to spend all my time with kids who make fun and interesting comments and connections, and I have the autonomy to run things however I want! I love taking E&K to school each day, and Katelyn is the best helper before and after school. (Ethan has the school news show each morning and likes to ride the bus home with his friend Logan each day.) 

The kids asked me how long I'd have this job, and I told them twenty years! Here's to my new career.

TAAF Games

Brennan earned a spot high-jumping in the Texas State summer track & field meet. It was held in Brownsville, so we headed down as a family and made it a little vacation. 

He didn't place, but he learned a lot. There was a lightning delay, but after he jumped we stayed for the older boys. One 16yo kid jumped 6'10", which was super neat to see. 

After the meet, we headed to our beach condo. We stayed in South Padre. The room and hotel were disgusting, but the pool area, tennis courts, and beach were perfect. Sad that the building is in such bad repair. 

We watched the Olympic Opening Ceremonies one night. It was great fun. As soon as we got home, school started!