A much needed breath...

Today is Wednesday, usually the middle of the week it's just that, the middle. This is one of those magical weeks though, where Wednesday is in fact Friday in that it is the end of my work week.

Any way this Christmas Break has arrived, I all but sprinted out the door today excited for a brain break. Problem is I am already planning what is coming up next when we return January 3rd.

I am however, going to make the most of it. I am going to spend time with my good wife, my loving kids, their friends and ours. Relaxing, laughing, eating, and  thinking about God's many blessings in my life and how He is really the only thing that keeps me in balance. He is like an unseen oxygen tent that I need around me always to live.

I am thankful for that unconditional love, that came wrapped in flesh over 2000 years ago in a form we could identify with. Amazing... simply amazing.

Reflections of priorities...

Been  a while... too long, but this evening I have been by myself with my thoughts as I took care of some chores and a couple of honey do's.

This is a good time to reflect on what is important and what we are thankful for. I have been watching on and off this movie called "November Christmas" on Hallmark Channel. It's a movie about a community that comes together for a little girl who has cancer. It made me think of one of my students and her battle with leukemia. She is currently cancer free, but during her battle she and her family shared their faith with many people even though one of the worst possible things in a family's life was going on.

I am so thankful for each one of my family, from my parents, to my brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, but especially my wife and children. We so often get so wrapped up in the daily rat race that we forget what is really important. Relationships. I am so thankful for my relationship with my oldest daughter Emily and her husband Alex. They are such a joy when we get together. Just yesterday we spent time making of all things, salt dough ornaments. The two younger kids were just not that interested, which upset me at the time, but I know they have the same seeds planted down in them that Em does.

Each is an individual, and each has their own special gifts and talents to share with the world and those around them.

I just pray that I will continue to think about how blessed we are to be as healthy as we are. I am so thankful for Cindy encouraging me to change how I eat and that in turn has been rewarding with the best of health in years!

Hey! They are starting to come back home now! Time to enjoy!!

~jeff

That time again....

Well, it's certainly been a while since I posted. Let's see....February??? Wow, it was cold outside then. Okay, enough small talk.


Yesterday was the first day back to school with students. Strange as it may seem to those on the outside, summer is a great way to re-charge your physical, mental and creative self after another school year. I couldn't wait to get back in my room, rhythm and schedule.

I know it has only been two days, but what a great bunch of kids I have in sixth grade. At the end of the day, I have 8th grade computers which are kids that I had two years ago in math. It's been great to see how much they have grown and matured.

The summer flew by though in large part to our re-model project on the main floor of our abode. The kitchen and dining rooms traded spaces and the living room got a major update with floor and walls.

Here is what the old dining room "new kitchen" looked like at the beginning of the project:


Pretty bare bones eh? The top picture is where our stove and fridge are currently located. (stove in the middle and fridge to the left) The bottom picture is where the sink is located. The great thing was the existing plumbing for the bathroom on the other side of the wall made it easy to install the sink and required plumbing on that wall with minimal cost!

Well that's all for this post...hopefully next time will be a little closer to this one!

jj

Been a while...

Well I am Columbus again for the annual eTech Conference. This is a chance to get together with other techies to trade, learn, teach each other about what we know that is the latest and greatest in technology. It is a great way to find out about things that can make you a better, or at the very least a better equipped teacher. Lots of great ideas that I will be using after I get back. The really cool thing is that you can start playing with tools right away if you have a laptop, ipad, droid or other input ready device with you!!!

It is rather nasty outside today. It seems like the last couple of times we have been here, school was closed at least one day while we were gone. Looks like it may be two this year! Nasty, nasty ice be careful out there.

j

Moon over Lake Lakengren

Hadn't been out in the boat for several days....why? It is so relaxing, and as an extra special blessing this evening the full moon was rising as I was coming in. I went on past the cove and down the shore line a little further until I could just see it peeking through the trees. Patience and about three additional minutes brought the whole body into view. Glad I had my phone with me!

jeff

Been a while....

Just got home from Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. What a beautiful place. We spent the last two days at the home of the Winns. Their hospitality made it a really great time and very relaxing. We had the chance to take the kids tubing and just lazz around on the boat and soak in the sun on the water.

Yesterday we boated on down to Lee's Ford and had a late lunch at the restaurant there. Delicious!!

Seemed like a very long trip down and almost as long home...but it is great to be home on our tiny puddle... hoping for a clear morning and a chance to get out on the kayak for an hour or two.

That's all for now.

Softball update

I can't believe our first scrimmage is this Saturday! It seems like just a few days ago we were starting out on this journey together and now our first test and trial approaches in about three days. A few more things to iron out and the good news is we can pretty much get everyone in the game and see how they do all without worry of messing something up. It is just a scrimmage and the wise older coach has given much, much needed advise to this rookie.

I am extremely thankful for his advice and encouragement! Thanks Lon. His daughter the ever present Miss Janet has been an extra blessing to have helping out as she can (which is a lot!). The girls have so far been making us look really good, they have little things that they need to work on like, not complaining that they have to wear long sleeves and pants since it is still rather chilly. We don't want anyone sick right now. Can't afford to have anyone out!

It is amazing as well that we are already half way through March, which means we are almost a fourth of the way through this new year already! That means April is soon approaching and almost time to get the boat ready to launch! I am ready for spring to spring!

As always,
jj