End of the School Year

Here we are, heading into the last week of school for the year for this year. In a sense, it has seemed like the LONGEST year ever, partly to the extremely long winter, adding of school days, and adding an hour onto each day for the last 2 months. In another sense, my first year back to teaching is already almost over. Now that's hard to believe.
I am thankful for this year, though. Thankful where it has lead me and how it has shaped me. I almost feel a sense of pride for knowing that I CAN be a full time working mother, a wife, and a teacher all at the same time. But then that pride is crushed when I realize how many times I have failed this year miserably at all three:) It has been a learning experience for sure. Some days I felt pretty good about how I was balancing all of life....others I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide...feeling like I just couldn't do it all.
I can tell you that I am extremely thankful for Nic. He has been an incredible husband and father, picking up my slack...bathing the kids, making dinner, taking children to practice with him, letting me sleep in, doing laundry, cleaning the house. Yes, he has been wonderful.
I am just looking really forward to this summer...recharging, just being with my kids and focusing on them and Nic with all my energy as well. I will be teaching Summer School but it is one day a week for 7 weeks.
Here are some things that have been going on these last couple months:
*Colton and Hayden have started T-ball at Osolo Little League and are on the same team. Hayden is number 5 and Colt 2. They are loving it. Colton is like a magnet to the ball. No matter what position he is playing, he runs after the ball each time and 95% of that time he gets the ball. They both have been hitting without the tee, so that has been fun watching them.
*At the beginning of May, ECA had their annual auction. My dad ended up buying us a German Shepard puppy who was 5 weeks old. The owner suggested taking her home for one more week so she could ween the baby from the momma. So, that next Friday, Nic picked her up and brought her home to live with us. It has been quite the 3 weeks, but she is doing really well. Her name is Samantha. Obviously, the children fell in love with her right away. We are still working on the non stop nipping, but she is starting to sleep through the night and does great staying with us in the yard. She is precious, that's for sure.
*Having a puppy means potty training the puppy. Well, apparently, Colt thought he would help out with this process by showing her how to do it. So, he has now taken to peeing in the yard as well. Seriously?? Well, the other day I was in the bathroom getting Easton ready and Colt came in. He was butt naked....with poop everywhere...on his feet, legs, butt, stomach, and even on his face. I wanted to throw up. After the initial shock and gagging, he had explained that he pooped outside. like the dog. In the rocks. Disgusting.
*Nic had this past week off from work. His relaxing turned into taking care of a sick little boy for one of the days. Colt came home from the sitter on Wednesday, crawled up on the couch and fell asleep. He slept until 8 the next morning. I tried several times to wake him up. Around 6 we noticed his cheeks a red we have never seen before...so we took his temp. 103. Not exactly the numbers you want to see on a thermometer. It took A LONG time to get it down to around 100 and I made Nic sleep with him to make sure he was ok. When he woke up the next morning, he was complaining of his right side hurting. Nic took him to the doctor and they tested him for strep, UTI, and checked his appendix. All ok. Apparently there is a virus going around and it knocks you down for about 24 hours. He is still not acting quite himself but at least he is active.
*Hayden's last day of preschool is tomorrow. Enough said.
*Nic and I joined a Life Group at our church at the beginning of the school year and man has it been a blessing. Every day I wake up and can't believe where God has led us in our marriage and in our family. He is a faithful God. And I thank Him for His mercy, love, and forgiveness every day. We serve a might God, my friends.
*Easton...what can I say. He has sure grown into his little personality. And man, is he a FLIRT. He is the sweetest little boy. When he smiles, he has 2 little dimples that just melt me...every time...even when it's a smile because he has completely emptied his plate on the floor. He does try to keep up with Hayden and Colton and is now standing up for himself. He makes me laugh every day and just gives me so much joy. He still isn't really talking...but does say "ouchhhhh," "duck," "doggie," and of course "dad," and "no." Still no mom. Blah.

Well, the Bachelorette is on so I must get going:)