*oh my*

in anticipation for sending out our christmas cards, i realize i haven't posted in over 11 months! what could have happened in that time?

quite a lot, it so happens.

john is now in his 2nd year with microsoft, so it's just plain blasphemy that i'm typing this on a macbook. i'm surprised i don't get hit by lightning. he loves it, and works from home. i'm not sure i could continue a schedule like that, but my husband is quite the man. he can do anything.

i (literally) just finished completing the final class for my Ed.S. (Educational Specialist) degree in Mathematics. for those of you wondering, it is a degree between the Masters and the Ph.D. i feel quite accomplished! additionally, i have earned my math certificate through the state of colorado, and am also completing certification in math recovery. in Spring 2010, everything will be conferred upon me through the University of Colorado at Denver...and i almost forget that i hold a principal's license! excuse me while i boast.

what, say you, will i do with all this schooling? well, i plan to be the BEST teacher i possibly can. my education thus far allows me to hold positions at universities or community colleges, but i cannot conduct research or publish under a university name (that requires a Ph.D.) i can see myself teaching teachers one day, but for now, i am happily working to meet the needs of my elementary school learners!!

the kids are doing well---growing and learning each day. i am sad to see them get taller & grow out of their clothes...but the joy and happiness i see in them at the end of each day helps me forget all that. caden is so excited to enter kindergarten next year, and quite frankly, the thought of all of us at creekside is exciting to me. i am looking forward to spending mornings with him before he heads off to PM Kindergarten. keahi adores her teacher and loves school. that's pretty much what you want for your first grader. she is excelling in all subjects, but we are discovering her true passion is art. she loves all kinds, but mostly drawing and painting, and singing...singing, singing...all.the.time.

on other fronts, we remember our dear, sweet taiko, who passed away on 12/3/09. he was stricken with cancer and went downhill quickly. we noticed he was lethargic and took him into the vet. within 3 days we received a terminal diagnosis, prepared ourselves and said good-bye to our knucklehead. he was a great dog and those who remember him, wouldn't disagree that he was a lovable, goofy dog. rest in peace, sweet boy :)

kuma is getting up there in age, as she is months older than taiko. she's 11 years old (taiko celebrated his 11th birthday on 11/25/09; one week and a day before he passed). even though the vet allowed her to kiss him good-bye, we think she searches for him in our home and in the yards. she appears saddened, but that could be our sadness muddying the waters. we all ache for him, still.

nevertheless, we know we are blessed. we are thankful for the health we have, the sweet memories we cherish of taiko, and the joyous children and dog to whom we are entrusted. god is good.

check back for more photos and updates. i have been doing most of my photo uploads to facebook, so i will get a link to our albums when i have a chance. thanks for stopping by, and we'll connect again soon!