The Walkers

School starts at 7:55, but I'm supposed to be here by 7:30. Yeah right. I've been shuffling in at about 7:45 since I started at PHS, and for the most part I've gotten away with it. (I was in a portable, and I have a sneaking suspision that nobody would have noticed if I didn't even show up.) Except that this year, I'm struggling to get here before the tardy bell. You know - the one that I pretend is such a big deal when I'm docking my students' attendance grades? It's pretty embarrassing when 35 kids are standing in the hallway at 7:52, waiting for their hypocrite teacher to come unlock her door. When questioned by students in the past, I've been known to lie about morning meetings, making copies, etc. This morning, I worked so so hard to get here on time. I pulled in at 7:35, and I'm totally proud of myself. Because in my deluded mind, that's 20 minutes early. What's wrong with me?

Before you get too excited, this is not a post about the Olsen twins' classic Salt Lake olympics road trip movie. But I'll post a picture of that magical moment in cinematic history anyway. I'm here to boast about the latest accomplishment in my semi-finished basement. We have walls. It will be at least a year before we have cabinets, carpet, or furniture down there... but it's exciting to at least have some rooms. First and foremeost: The Billiard Room. Yes, that's what I will call it. Eventually this ginormous family room will house a projector, the computer, and I'm envisioning a play kitchen or something in the corner for the wee ones. Then we have the two bedrooms. The first one is bigger to accomodate a queen bed. Check out the killer double-closet! Finally... somewhere clean to store all our winter gear. And here's a crappy picture of the other bedroom. This one will have cool built-in shelves for toys and whatnot. (We're thinking this will be th...

I stole these pictures from Laurel's blog, since I'm an idiot and didn't take any pictures yesterday. Anyhoo - my big sister Alicia had her little boy early yesterday morning and he is perfect! I wasn't weirded out being at the hospital (being due in 3 1/2 months myself) until Markelle mentioned it... thanks :) Blaine, Alicia, and Jake. And how cute is my mom with her two grandkids?

I have a student named Thor. Really. I can't say his name without thinking of Sara from Adventures in Babysitting , with her official Thor helmet, cape, and hammer. I'm urged to write one of two things on his next paper: either, "Thor's my hero!" or, "Thor's a homo." I can't decide. Oh man, that's a fantastic movie.

Today is the first day of school. I'm talking too fast. I'm stuttering. I'm spitting. I'm running into my podium. I'm making jokes where I'm the only one laughing. I'm slacking doing actual "work" during prep and blogging instead. And I'm loving every minute of it.

So, I realized three things yesterday: 1) I officially can't fit into any of my pants. 2) I cry over hymns. 3) Apparently I pee a little bit when I sneeze. Excellent.

Wow - these last couple weeks have been crazy. First, I went to Washington for a week. The day I got back, we had our 20 week ultrasound. Then Brad and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary yesterday! Let's go in order. Here's my mom and me at Cape Meares near Tillamook, Oregon. And this is me having a "razzle dazzle day" at the lighthouse. (Megan, my mom, and I were having way too much fun reinacting Pete's Dragon .) Then Mandy and Michael's big day was the 26th! The reception was at Fort Vancouver; I thought this carriage was so cool. It was so much fun seeing all the girls. I'm bummed I have to miss Rachael's wedding next weekend. Gotta love Jacqueline and Mandy gettin' down. Red drink. White dress. Very careful sips. On to item number two... it's a girl! I think this picture is hilarious. How can that possibly be comfortable? But she refused to move from that position the entire time. (Of course I get the lazy baby... wonder where she gets t...