No More Homework, No More Books...

After 21 years of schooling, I am finally done! Well, done until I go back for a Masters Degree someday. And I suppose the last 2 years have really been part of my career, not my schooling, but I was a teacher and so it felt like regular back to school. Also, preschool counts doesn't it? My point is that for 21 years I have been on the "school from August - May with summers off" schedule. I'm not really sure what to do with myself. This was the first week of school, and several of my teacher friends, siblings, nieces, nephews, and neighbors have returned. And here I stay, at home, just hanging out and waiting for stuff to happen. I don't know what September means anymore. There is no homecoming game or dance, parent-teacher conference, moving in to a new apartment for the year, or buying new books. My husband isn't even in school. I'm not sure what to expect, but here are a few things that I know:

1. I am ecstatic that I am no longer teaching middle school. Don't get me wrong, it was a great experience and I learned a lot that will help me be a better teacher, voice instructor, and parent. I met great people and students I will never forget. I accomplished a lot and learned a lot about myself. However, on Wednesday as I was driving to the grocery store and realized that if I had not quit I would be standing in 3rd period, in a building with no air conditioning, trying to warm up voices that have dropped or changed with puberty over the summer so much so that some of them can't even match pitch anymore, or trying to convince the alto that wants to be a soprano that she just doesn't have the range, or telling that tenor who seems to have developed ADD over the summer to stop throwing wads of paper at the new girl, I wanted to weep for joy that I was at the grocery store and not at middle school.

2. I'm a little sad that I'm not in school. Meaning college. I miss being a student. I'm one of those crazies that actually likes to learn stuff. And I REALLY miss taking voice lessons. Someday, I shall return, and I will earn a Masters degree in Vocal Pedagogy. And I will love it.

3. I have no doubt in my mind that freeing myself up right now to stay at home when my baby gets here is the right thing to do. Education has always been top priority in my life, but I always new that being a mom would trump everything else. I know that it will be hard, but I can't imagine doing it another way. I don't want to do it another way. 54 days till she's due!

In the meantime, can anyone tell me what to do with September?

Rick and Bonnie Cox - Hoping to Adopt

Matt's brother Rick and his wife Bonnie have been trying to adopt for a while now. I have added a link on my sidebar where you can go check out their adoption blog, which shows what awesome people they are. Please pass the word on! They of course have a profile that anyone can look at through LDS Adoption Services, but it's more likely that a couple will be chosen if they are recommended to birth parents by a friend. They are awesome people, and would be great parents. Here are a few pictures of their boy Benjamin. Benjamin was their son for about a month. They took him knowing that there was a possibility that they might not be able to adopt him because the agency had not been able to contact the birth father. The adoption didn't go through in the end, but they loved this little one while he was there. We hope that they will have another opportunity soon. Please pass the word along!

Stuff.

Do you ever not blog because you're so behind on updates that you don't know where to begin, and the prospect of reporting on all the things that happened is just too daunting? That's where I've been the last few months. So I've decided to post on just this last week. Call it a fresh start if you will. Who knows, maybe I'll get to all the old stuff later.

This last week has been so much fun. My brother's wedding was on Saturday, so my WHOLE family was here. I believe just between my siblings and their families, plus my parents, we make 30 (I think). 31 if you count my belly. We haven't all been together in a while so there were all kinds of activities and events.

First things first: My belly. This is my new outfit which I was very excited about. I got it for the shower my sister threw for me on August 1st.


Here is a view of some of the decor. Rachel did such a good job. She made these amazing lunches and some very pretty and delectable cupcakes.

As the guests arrived, they made these cute onsies. It's just fabric with an iron on appliqué on the back. You picked an animal, cut it out, and ironed it on a onsie. I have nearly 20 of these now in all different sizes and they are really cute.

I wish I had more pictures of everyone that came, but since the shower was for me, I couldn't really break away to take pictures once people were there. Mom and Rach, send me pics! Anyway, it turned out really fun. Thanks Rachel and also to everyone who helped and attended!

Next big thing, Matt graduated! He is officially done with his undergraduate degree in Business Finance. I am so proud of him. Because he finished his degree during summertime, he decided not to walk, since commencement only happens in the spring. So I decided to plan a few things.

While he was at his last final, I was busy wrapping and preparing this display. The pile includes: a business school tassle, a U of U mug with Snicker's (his favorite), a letter from myself, a new drill, a set of bits, and an invitation to a graduation celebration with friends and family in his honor.

This is right after he walked in the door after his LAST final on Thursday morning. Doesn't he look happy? I had Pomp and Circumstance playing in the background.

This is him playing with his new drill. He has been wanting more tools for a long time and I think he's excited. We went to his parents that night so that he could drill holes through brick and stuff.

The next morning we had family pictures. Sort of. Not quite everyone could be there, but my mom really wanted a picture of all the grandkids together, and they could all come. They also did family groups, so Matt and I got some new pictures of us. Thanks mom for getting the photographer and for providing a delicious brunch afterward.

Don't we look good?

I wasn't paying attention, but Matt was.

And of course all the grandkids. My mom said I could stick my belly in the side of the picture if I wanted, but I declined. Click on it to see a larger view. I love how they're all looking in different directions. And is Anna picking her nose? How do you get 13 kids between 6 weeks and 11 years to all smile at the same time?

Next we have the wedding. Congratulations to Matt and Amanda! (Just a clarification, this is Matt my brother, not to be confused with Matt my husband.) We had a lot of fun, and everything was beautiful. The night before we had a short rehearsal, and then a BBQ in a neighboring canyon.

This is during the rehearsal. Check out the beautiful backdrop for the ceremony.

Cute Anna walking down the aisle.

Ben, you handsome devil.

This is at the family BBQ after the rehearsal. The original Black Family, no spouses or grandchildren. Good looking group. Way to hang on to your hair Josh.

Our row during the actual ceremony.

The Bride and Groom. I wish we had a better shot of this, we were sitting at a funny angle. Matt, I hope you share you pictures with us when you get them.

This is dinner following the ceremony. It was SOOO delicious. We were seated with Rachel and Jeff and it was excellent. Mostly this picture is my family getting food, except for the guy looking at the camera. I have no idea who he is.

Here is another shot of my belly. This dress makes me look rather pregnant.

The happy couple dancing. Amanda, you looked like a super-star.

And here we have the Black family plus spouses. We're all married now.

The whole wedding was beautiful. The food was great. Nate, you gave an awesome toast. Matt my brother, you picked a good wife.

Believe it or not there were also a few other hightlights/family changes during the week (how could we possibly fit more). These included:
1. The blessing of Elijah William Black (Josh and Julie's newest boy)
2. Cleaning out and moving and selling Josh and Julie's house(congrats on getting it done so fast) so they can get to Texas for Josh's new job.
3. Julie's Birthday
4. Watching Rachel's kids so she could enjoy a few days with Jeff
5. Hanging out with Nate and Kelly's kids while they did some house hunting.

To top the week off we had a new arrival on the Cox side of the family.

Welcome the world Emilie!

She arrived Sunday, August 9th, which is also her parents 1st Anniversary.
She weighs 8 lbs 3 oz and both mom and daughter are doing well. We're excited to have a girl cousin already here to greet our baby when she comes in October. Congratulations Brady and Malene!

Wow. What a week! That post took me 3 hours. Hope you enjoy!