Joe is a teenager!

I can't believe it, but our Joe is now 13...an official teenager! We celebrated his birthday last week with opening of gifts by the fire (it was cold). We went to church and then out to Dave and Busters with our friends Dayna and Bastain! We all had a great time! Jackson seemed to be the big winner as he pulled out 3 watches and 2 necklaces out of the claw machine! He even got 2 at one time! He quickly wrapped them up and put them under the tree.....

First semester has ended....with a snow day. There was no school on Friday, December 19. I was bummed because my students gifts are no waiting for them on their desks. I wasn't finished wrapping them, so I had to wait to pass them out.

Jenna and I braved the bad weather (it wasn't that bad) and headed to Children's Hospital for some testing for her. She was diagnosed with stage 2/3 reflux of the bladder and has been on meds for the past year to see if it has improved. Now, while we don't meet with the urologist...the radiologist pointed out to me where the contrast was backed up into her kidneys. She could hold a lot of contrast in and was a trooper through the whole thing. This is her 3rd time with this terrible test...and I'm so proud of her dealing with the pain. We meet with the Urologist on Jan 2. I'm thinking because of the back up to the kidney that surgery is our next step. I guess we will wait and see. I've been praying for this condition to improve and hope you would add Jenna (and her bladder) to your list of prayers.

Jackson has been selected to be a part of the Millard Public School's Minnesingers. He was recommended by his music teacher and then had to audition. He is a very strong singer and I'm so proud of him for taking this on. His practices will be on Tuesdays right after piano lessons. I'm thinking it will be a crazy day of running around!

My friend (and sorority sister) is expecting twins...and they are expected any day now. She has a planned C-section for New Years Eve. I find her whole pregnancy so interesting. She is a twin herself - with a twin brother...and she is expecting a boy and a girl. I threw a shower for her the week before Thanksgiving and had a blast with my sisters!!!

We are gearing up for Christmas and looking forward to spending time with family and friends! I do still have a little shopping....but am nearly finished!

The weekend

This was a rather busy weekend for us. Friday we downed a quick supper and Jeff and Joe headed to see the latest "James Bond" movie...Jackson, Jenna, and I also headed to the movies...but to see High School Musical 3. Jenna and I had seen it already....but she wanted to see it again. Jackson decided to head with us instead of Jeff and Joe. Saturday I stuffed the pictures for our Christmas cards, cleaned the first floor rooms, and did a little shopping, My friend, Mary Jo, is expecting soon - twins!!! She knows she is having a boy and a girl. Jenna, Jackson, and I had fun picking out some adorable gifts for these two special little babies. My friend, Starla, and I are throwing her a baby shower next weekend. I can't wait to see all of my sorority sisters! We always have so much fun when we are together. Jeff took the boys to an Omaha Lancers hockey game, while Jenna and had "Girls Movie Night". She picked out a "Mary Kate and Ashley" movie (Billboard Dad), the "Hannah Montana in concert" movie and "Enchanted". We got thought most of them.....

I also made some cookies for my grad class. Monday night my friend, Dayna, and I are in charge of bringing the snacks. I'm going to make my taco dip, too.

Today our church celebrated the 10th anniversary of it's charter. Although the 'official' birthdate is December 13...we decided to celebrate early - so as not to get too busy with the Christmas Season. There was a lot of singing, history lesson, video, and cake eating. We love our church friends and can appreciate the difficult road they have traveled on to bring us to where were are today.

This afternoon Jeff and I went looking at houses. We found another one that we like. This one is a ranch....lots of thinking to do.

So, this evening will be filled with paper correcting for me and homework for Jeff. The kids have all of their homework done.....but I'm sure Joe will have more this week, since he will be out of school for WI deer hunting.

Winter Weather is HERE!

The furnace is on...the fireplace has been going.....Winter weather has arrived on the prairie. We had a very quiet weekend. Jeff and I worked on school work. Jenna attended a birthday party. The big event was that I cleaned out Jenna's dresser and closet. We have piles of clothing for Good Will and friends. We rearranged her room, so she has more area to put her 'polly pockets' and 'barbies'. The boys are getting eager and excited for deer hunting. Jeff was full of buck fever after getting a call from his brother, Nate, right from the tree stand on Saturday. Nate had shot a beautiful 11 point buck with a bow.

This coming week has Jackson and Jenna working on their Christmas program for church. I can't believe how fast the start of the school year has gone.

Piano

I got a good deal on this electric piano. I've had a lot of fun playing it. Jackson and Jenna want to start lessons soon. I have a friend who is a piano teacher and I'm just waiting to hear how soon they can start.

Fall 2008

Here are some pictures of Jackson and Jenna carving their pumpkins.

Family Visit

I was so excited that my brother's family came for a visit in August. We had a great time! The kids NEVER have enough time to play together. Jenna and Ashlyn especially. Jackson wanted to be attached to Eli....Joe was a bit on the crabby side (ok, he was a LOT on the crabby side!)

We rode bikes, went to the Amazing Pizza Machine, went swimming, and just visited!!!!

Here are some great pictures from our time together!

September 2008

Well, I'm starting my last year in my 30's. I can't believe in one year I'll be the big 4 0!!! I'm posting some pics of the cake my family bought and decorated for me. My class surprised me by singing over the intercom and having some room parents bring in cupcakes for our class. I made a new recipe for rice krispy treats. I used CoCo Krispys and chocolate marshmallows. Everyone loved them! They were awesome (if I do say so myself!!!)

First Day of School Pictures

Back to School

Well, our summer has come to an end. Yesterday (August 13) we all headed back to school. Everyone seems to have a thumbs up over their classes. I have 21 students this year. So far they are doing a wonderful job at learning the rules and procedures. I have a POPCORN theme in my class. Lots of popcorn decor....I even have some "POPCORN RULES". I do think they are rather cleaver (if I do say so myself!).


Prepare to learn
Open your eyes and ears
Please and Thank You
Complete assigned work
Organize materials
Raise your hand
Neighborly to all

It's a cute little acrostic poem....that spells out POPCORN!!!

I'll post pics of the kids in a bit!

Summer - Week 7

I'm still recovering from Starla's visit. We were up until 2 AM most nights....chatting. There was one moment when we were sitting on the side of the Y pool...not saying anything. I asked her if we ran out of things to talk about....she said "No...I'm just tired!!" That sums up how I'm feeling. We did get the house put back to gether the past todays. I also met with my friend and co-worker, Suzi. We are piloting a new reading series and decided to get together to make plans. After talking we ran to the teacher store....I found a load of popcorn things to decorate my room. Tomorrow I'm taking the kids to the cheap movies (Nim's Island)...it's just $2.50 and we get a free popcorn.

Jeff's mom is in the hospital this week. Her lungs had some fluid in them and she needs to be on antibiotic IV's. When I talked to her today she should really good. I think she caught this early.

We got some exciting news from my sorority sister - MJ. She and her hubby, Jamey are pregnant and are expecting TWINS!!!! She's due in January. I already have 2 friends who have twin daughters - so I tried to do some introductions for MJ. I'm sure they can be more helpful with what twins need than I could!

We're leaving Sunday for Wisconsin.....we can't wait. Tomorrow we will start packing!

Summer - Week 5 and 6

We've been busy the past two weeks. Jeff was home with us for the week of the 4th of July. We did some projects at home. The basement is clean and organized! It's been 2 years in the making....but we finally have it finished! It looks great and everyone loves to spend time down there. We got a new futon that the kids LOVE to always flip into the bed. Jeff's desk is down in the basement, so he can work in cool quiet.

The 4th of July in our neighborhood is always amazing! The city of Omaha doesn't allow for many fireworks...but we liVe out of the city limits...so it's like a combat zone. Many people run to the Missouri border to get "bigger and better" fireworks (M-80's and the like). It was a great night - kids had a 'blast' lighting off the few fireworks we got.

We were also excited to hear our neighbors had their baby. Matt and Sasha live right across the street and have 2 year old Jack. (Jack was born a few weeks after we first moved to Omaha). Now they have welcomed baby Savanna into the world. Matt and Sasha are so kind to our kids. They always ask the kids what's new....they really engage them in conversation. They are great parents and wonderful people. I think Joe wants to be a lawyer, now, because of Matt.

I went through the kids' closets and took the many clothes that were too small, we organized rooms, cleaned under the beds.....just in time to welcome the Dixen family for their yearly visit.

I always have so much fun when my friend (and sorority sister) Starla comes to visit with her two kiddos...Rayna and Dane. Rayna and Jenna are both 7 and love to play together. This year Dane is 4 and loved to play with both Joe and Jack. They mainly played with the GI Joe 'guys'....and the nerf guns. We did so much when they were here....movies, The Amazing Pizza Machine, YMCA swimming, bowling, shopping...we all had a great visit.

So, as we seem to wind down our summer (I'm back to school on August 1).....I still have a lot planned. A trip to Wisconsin (Janesville and Viroqua) out to Vegas with my sorority sitsters...welcome my friends Glenn and Linda back to Omaha (they have brought their camper out here the past two summers) and this year they are bringing my friend - Karen and daugheters (Olivia and Ella)....then I need to get my classroom together.

Wow.....what a summer!!!

Summer - Week 4

Another great week at home. We had a balloon fight this afternoon. Everyone had a blast! Jeff gets home early on Friday and he even enjoyed in on the fun! We enjoyed some snow cones after the water war. Mr. Whiskers had a vet appointment this week. He got 2 shots and we were told he's a bit over weight. We need to not feed him so much. One of our weekly highlights was building a tent in our living room. The kids got a tent from my brother's family for their birthdays. We are using Jeff's shoes to hold the stakes in place. The kids are having a great time in it. Jackson slept there last night. Tonight is Jenna's turn. I even took a nap in it the other day.

I attended a training session for the reading series I'll be piloting next year. It looks to be a great series with lots of resources to use! I think I'll be able to use a lot of the differentiation instruction information I received at my most recent seminar. We've been having fun hanging with our neighbors. Our back yard neighbors, Kelli and Tim, have a new beautiful patio. We sit out there most nights.

Jeff had his second class. He is putting a lot of time and effort into his class. We are so proud of him.

Joe and I mowed my friend, Ashley's, lawn. It was hot work, but it looks great now. We are hoping they can sell it soon....so we can not worry about checking in on it.

Finally, I colored my hair today. I tried to get it back my 'natural' shade (what ever that is)...however, it's a bit too dark, so I'll have to re-color later this weekend.

Jeff is off next week and we are looking forward to having some fun family time!

Summer - Week 3

Jeff was out of town for work (Chicago). The BIG event for the week is Vacation Bible School. Jenna and Jackson lead the songs, Jackson was also a "Lab Assistant" and lead some prayers and helped in activities. Joe worked with the pre-schoolers and assisted in games, and I lead a group of elementary students. We brought our neighbor, Drew, along with us - and we all had a great time!

Joe went to the doctor this week to get his 7th grade shots. He didn't do very well after them - and was sick and on the couch most of the next day.

Jeff started his grad class. He is taking some accelerated classes for his MBA. I'm so proud of him...even though he's a bit nervous about it! He should be done in 18 months.

I emptied my desk and we moved it to the basement for Jeff. He set up a nice little work station down there.....the kids wanted to join him and they all set up their own "desk areas". They had fun "playing office". Joe would talk into Jenna's Kerokee machine..."Jeff Gruber line 3, Jeff Gruber line 3". Jenna was the head "E-mailer" and would arrange appointments for Jeff. Jackson just sat on my laptop and played games. Over all it was fun to be in the nice and cool basement!

Summer - Week 2

June 9 - 15

Jaci and the kids spent most of the week in Viroqua. There was so much flooding that you couldn't get to the next town (LaFarge). We also had to go a LONG way to get to town. There was a little damage at my parent's new house (the drainage ditch)....but the "Primmer Dam" was in danger of failing. The kids had a BLAST playing in the stream near the house. We also wen to the Children's museum in LaCrosee and did some other fun shopping.

We decided to leave early because of the bad weather and the flooding....we made it home without any problems. We were glad to be home for the weekend and Father's Day!

Summer - week 1

Our first week of summer vacation found us in Northern Wisconsin with Jeff's family. Jeff and the boys took Grandpa Frank "Up North" fishing. Jenna stayed with Grandma Gruber and "Camp Grandma". While the boys were having fun fishing...Jenna was learning how to sew and bake. I joined my family after my last work day at school...and we headed to Wausau to see Jeff's brother's family. We stopped by Jeff's cousin's cafe and had a great lunch. The kids LOVE to eat at Kristin's Cafe. We got to Nate and Beth's house in time to walk to pick up Erin and Eden from school. We were able to see Eden play in a T-ball game and celebrated with ice cream afterwards. The next day we walked the girls back to school and returned to Ellsworth. (We did stop by Gander Mountain on the way home.)

We were able to celebrate Frank's retirment from the Ellsworth School District with a lovely meal and program. It was such a special day. Another retiring teacher is the sister of one of my Wisconsin co-workers. It really is a small world.

Near the end of the week, Jeff and I took the kids to IKEA and MOA for some fun. Jeff admitted that he actually had fun at both places! SHOCKER!!

Saturday the kids and I headed to Viroqua for a wedding, family reunion, and some flooding fun!


The Gruber Cousins - Joe, Erin, Jackson, Jenna, Cade, Eden


Pile on Joe!!!!


Erin, Eden, and Cade at their school.


The Cafe!!!


Filling up the van gas tank....gas prices stink!!!

Mom on the loose - part 3 (The wedding)

I felt so lucky to be able to attend the wedding reception for my friend, Jen and her new hubby Erik. Jen and I worked at Adams School together - and got even closer when we were both living in in Minnesota. She looked so beautiful and happy on this special day.


The happy couple - Jen and Erik


Me and Jen


Jen and Tiana. Tiana was my 'date' for the evening. We had a blast visiting. Tiana was Joe's third grade teacher at Adams School.


Jen, Amy, and Tiana


Me and Amy. Amy and I are great friends from Adams School. Amy was Jackson's kindergarten teacher. We would always invite Amy over when we had "Taco Night" at our house (nearly every week). Amy looked so beautiful as a bridesmaid!

Mom on the loose - Part 2

Wisconsin's State Capitol


Wisconsin's State Capitol


Wisconsin's State Capitol


Laura Loizzo and I taught at Adams School. I had her daughter, Jessica, in my class when I was pregnant with Jenna. Jessica was on the Janesville Craig Jr. Prom court the day after this picture was taken.


Dottie May and I taught at Adams School. She is an amazing special education teacher! She invited Jackson and me to her house one summer day (and we went with Grandma Linda)....we had such a great time. Jackson was able to ride her neighbor's horse. The horse had an "M" brand on it...and Jackson thought he was riding a McDonald's horse. LOL


The Adler Family. Jodi, Lauren, and Katelyn


Jodi Adler and I taught at Adams School. Jodi was Joe's first grade teacher. I'll never forget doing gingerbread houses with our 4th and 1st grade buddies. It was a CRAZY time!


Lauren Adler is now a kindergartener. She was at the same baby sitter's in Janesville with Jackson and Jenna. When she was born I brought the kids to see her. Lauren's grandma Kathy asked Jackson what his name was (he was 3) and he replied "Billy Blazes". (Billy Blazes was his favorite Rescue Hero at the time.)


Karen Biege and I taught 4th grade together. I loved always going into her class to 'bug' her or tell her class the lamest joke I could find. She hosted this wonderful get together.....I can't wait to do it again this summer. She is my 'soul sister'.


Stacy Kelley and I go WAY back. We were pregnant at the same time. Our kids (Jackson and Kayley) have been the best of friends since....forever. Stacy is now a principal and I admire her so much!


This is my friend Linda McWilliams. We call her "Grandma Linda". She has always been there for me. She even took me to the hospital when I need to deliver Jenna. Linda made all the great food for our get together.....taco's and fruit pizza. She is the best cook ever! She and her hubby, Glenn, have made the trek to Omaha - twice. They haul their camper out here...and we always have a good time!


The Kelley Family! Monty, TJ, and Stacy


TJ is nearly two in this picture. I loved holding him when he was a baby....I've missed watching him grow up like I was able to see his big sister....Kayley!