Lisa's folks came down for the week of Thanksgiving and did some Grace-sitting toward the end of the week while we took a day-trip to Chattanooga. We went to the Tennessee Aquarium, which was awesome! We took a bunch of pictures, some of which I'll try to post on here later. If you ever have a chance to visit the aquarium, please do! Anyway, the folks are back in Michigan now, back to the chilly cold and snow. Ron thought it amusing that while they were here, he heard a lawn-mower start up, rather than the snow-blowers that he was used to hearing already.
We got our Wii! I'm unbelievably excited about it, and I think Lisa is too, though maybe not as much as I am. It'll be fun and be some good exercise at the same time, which I desperately need. Some of my students were actually jealous that we got it, and I think that's hilarious. I'm looking forward to Travis visiting so I can kick his butt in bowling on it (as well as in real life...bring it, bro!).
The first step in our first home-buying experience is done: we were pre-approved for our mortgage! I know it's a miniscule step in the process, and the actual pre-approval doesn't mean a whole lot, but it's something! We're going to be looking for a realtor next and then get even further along in the process. We'll keep you updated!
We are celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary on Thursday, along with Grace's 5th birthday! We're excited about them both, and we appreciate everyone's continued prayers every day.
Love you all
Todd
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Wet Wednesday in Spring Hill
Okay, so today was our first day of Thanksgiving break, and of course since we're not teaching and can get out to enjoy the weather...it's pouring! Ah well, what are you going to do? Grace is enjoying the rain, and Ron and Gail are enjoying that it's not snowing here.
Lisa's folks were able to come down to spend the week with us for Thanksgiving and to do some Gracie-sitting while we go away for a day or two this weekend for our anniversary. We're planning on just getting a hotel for a night down in Chattanooga, going to the Tennessee Aquarium, and just enjoying a little time away with each other.
I got my new glasses today. It turns out I have the same prescription that I had with my last glasses, but I wanted new glasses and have insurance, so why not? I really like them a lot. Lisa ordered new glasses too, and she got hers in the other day...but the wrong ones. Instead of some very stylish-looking glasses, she got some not-so-stylish red ones. I think they actually look pretty good on her, but she thinks her students will laugh at her. Anyway, the insurance company sent the wrong pair, so they're fixing that. Hopefully we'll get Lisa's glasses early next week.
Michael, a guy I teach with, is from Ypsilanti, and is a huge Detroit sports fan like myself, and we're really looking forward to watching the Lions kick the Packers' butts on national television tomorrow. We're outnumbered at school 3-2, because two new teachers and our guidance counselor are either from, or have ties to, the Packers (Dee Dee's husband played at wide receiver with Favre in college, Kris and Matt are both from Wisconsin). I didn't make any bets with anyone, but Michael lost a bet with some kids in his class last week over the Ohio State vs. Michigan football game and had to do 20 push-ups in the middle of each science class. That was pretty fun to watch. It serves him right for being a Wolverines fan.
We just got back Nashville about a half hour ago, and I always love driving into town. We went to pick up Lisa's parking permit at Lipscomb (where she's working on her Masters degree), and tried to return a sweatshirt to a store that has been closed twice now since I've wanted to return it. I was at a conference in Nashville last week and got really cold, so during lunch I walked down to this store (the only one I found on Broadway that sells clothing) and bought a Vanderbilt hooded sweatshirt, intending to return it later (I kept all the tags on it and everything). So I've driven into Nashville twice now, and it's been closed both times. Perhaps I'll call next time. But I love Nashville, so I don't mind the drive.
Our anniversary is next Thursday, and it's hard to believe Lisa's put up with me for four years now! I love this beautiful woman more than I've ever loved anything or anyone in my life, and I'm so happy that no matter what else happens in this world, there'll always be us. The date, November 29, is also significant because it's Grace's birthday, and she's going to be five years old! I think I'm in for a shock when we have kids, because I always hear from people how quickly their children grow up, and I've always sort of dismissed that as cliche, but Grace is just a dog and she's growing up so fast! I can't imagine how fast it's going to go when we have kids!!!
I am going to take my new glasses and go read for a bit. I've been wearing them as I write and I have to say, they're working very nicely! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Loving and thinking of you all always.
Lisa's folks were able to come down to spend the week with us for Thanksgiving and to do some Gracie-sitting while we go away for a day or two this weekend for our anniversary. We're planning on just getting a hotel for a night down in Chattanooga, going to the Tennessee Aquarium, and just enjoying a little time away with each other.
I got my new glasses today. It turns out I have the same prescription that I had with my last glasses, but I wanted new glasses and have insurance, so why not? I really like them a lot. Lisa ordered new glasses too, and she got hers in the other day...but the wrong ones. Instead of some very stylish-looking glasses, she got some not-so-stylish red ones. I think they actually look pretty good on her, but she thinks her students will laugh at her. Anyway, the insurance company sent the wrong pair, so they're fixing that. Hopefully we'll get Lisa's glasses early next week.
Michael, a guy I teach with, is from Ypsilanti, and is a huge Detroit sports fan like myself, and we're really looking forward to watching the Lions kick the Packers' butts on national television tomorrow. We're outnumbered at school 3-2, because two new teachers and our guidance counselor are either from, or have ties to, the Packers (Dee Dee's husband played at wide receiver with Favre in college, Kris and Matt are both from Wisconsin). I didn't make any bets with anyone, but Michael lost a bet with some kids in his class last week over the Ohio State vs. Michigan football game and had to do 20 push-ups in the middle of each science class. That was pretty fun to watch. It serves him right for being a Wolverines fan.
We just got back Nashville about a half hour ago, and I always love driving into town. We went to pick up Lisa's parking permit at Lipscomb (where she's working on her Masters degree), and tried to return a sweatshirt to a store that has been closed twice now since I've wanted to return it. I was at a conference in Nashville last week and got really cold, so during lunch I walked down to this store (the only one I found on Broadway that sells clothing) and bought a Vanderbilt hooded sweatshirt, intending to return it later (I kept all the tags on it and everything). So I've driven into Nashville twice now, and it's been closed both times. Perhaps I'll call next time. But I love Nashville, so I don't mind the drive.
Our anniversary is next Thursday, and it's hard to believe Lisa's put up with me for four years now! I love this beautiful woman more than I've ever loved anything or anyone in my life, and I'm so happy that no matter what else happens in this world, there'll always be us. The date, November 29, is also significant because it's Grace's birthday, and she's going to be five years old! I think I'm in for a shock when we have kids, because I always hear from people how quickly their children grow up, and I've always sort of dismissed that as cliche, but Grace is just a dog and she's growing up so fast! I can't imagine how fast it's going to go when we have kids!!!
I am going to take my new glasses and go read for a bit. I've been wearing them as I write and I have to say, they're working very nicely! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Loving and thinking of you all always.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Lazy Saturday
Okay, it wasn't really all that lazy. I had a conference today, where I went to four different math workshops. They were awesome, and I'm looking forward to using some of the things I learned in the classroom. When I got home, we took Grace over to Longview Elementary and we played soccer in the courtyard and then on the playground. I think that's her favorite place to play around. Lisa put Grace's soccer ball on one of the swings, and Grace walked to the swing, got up on her hind legs, and literally punched the ball off the swing with one paw. She then continued to play soccer by herself while we just watched and laughed. That dog is just too much!
We're contemplating buying a Wii. Those things are just way too cool, and there are games for everyone (including uncomplicated ones that Grace's grandmas can even figure out!). There are a ton of other features on it that look really neat. The problem is, noplace can keep them in stock long enough for us to go and buy one! I'm sure once Christmastime rolls around, places will be stocking up on them, so we'll just have to wait for a few weeks.
Lisa's parents are driving down for Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks, and we're really looking forward to that. We want to go away for our anniversary, so they'll serve honorably in the roll of Gracie-sitters for a couple of days. They enjoy that, though. I'm hoping to get some Amish friendship bread from someone at school to make in time for Thanksgiving (if you've never had it, it's awesome, and very easy to make...I did it, after all!). I don't know what's going to be on the menu.
Our search for a house is about to come into full swing. I'm doing some research and educating myself on all the intricacies of buying a house and saving money doing so. There are a handful of houses in which we're very interested. We're going to start within the next couple of weeks with finding a good mortgage lender and realtor, then it'll feel more "for real." I'm so excited about this. Though it's very nice, I don't particularly care for the apartment, especially after living in a house for the last 4 years. We're also very excited for Grace, who will have her own backyard in which to run around and play soccer without us having to drive to elementary schools and other playgrounds (though we do it gladly).
Both of our jobs are going very well. I love teaching middle school so much more than I thought I would. There are things I miss about elementary school, but not enough to take me away from these sixth graders...they're awesome. Lisa's is enjoying her new career as a special education teacher. I'm sure she'll share some stories with you about her school and her drive to school, which are very entertaining.
Life in Tennessee is great. We love it here, and are unbelievably happy that we are here. I really believe that this is where God has wanted us to be all along, and He has blessed us incredibly. We love you all.
We're contemplating buying a Wii. Those things are just way too cool, and there are games for everyone (including uncomplicated ones that Grace's grandmas can even figure out!). There are a ton of other features on it that look really neat. The problem is, noplace can keep them in stock long enough for us to go and buy one! I'm sure once Christmastime rolls around, places will be stocking up on them, so we'll just have to wait for a few weeks.
Lisa's parents are driving down for Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks, and we're really looking forward to that. We want to go away for our anniversary, so they'll serve honorably in the roll of Gracie-sitters for a couple of days. They enjoy that, though. I'm hoping to get some Amish friendship bread from someone at school to make in time for Thanksgiving (if you've never had it, it's awesome, and very easy to make...I did it, after all!). I don't know what's going to be on the menu.
Our search for a house is about to come into full swing. I'm doing some research and educating myself on all the intricacies of buying a house and saving money doing so. There are a handful of houses in which we're very interested. We're going to start within the next couple of weeks with finding a good mortgage lender and realtor, then it'll feel more "for real." I'm so excited about this. Though it's very nice, I don't particularly care for the apartment, especially after living in a house for the last 4 years. We're also very excited for Grace, who will have her own backyard in which to run around and play soccer without us having to drive to elementary schools and other playgrounds (though we do it gladly).
Both of our jobs are going very well. I love teaching middle school so much more than I thought I would. There are things I miss about elementary school, but not enough to take me away from these sixth graders...they're awesome. Lisa's is enjoying her new career as a special education teacher. I'm sure she'll share some stories with you about her school and her drive to school, which are very entertaining.
Life in Tennessee is great. We love it here, and are unbelievably happy that we are here. I really believe that this is where God has wanted us to be all along, and He has blessed us incredibly. We love you all.
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