Becca's stupid dog...

I was over at Becca's house yesterday and Scott showed me something that almost made me pee my pants. Becca has this big, sloppy, untrainable bulldog named Hoss. He was outside on the patio and Scott put his finger on the glass of the french door. The next thing I knew, that crazy dog lunged at the door! Not only did he do it once, but over and over and over again. Needless to say, Becca's door is a slobbery mess. But, she loves that stupid dog. I am going to try to attach a video. Hope it works!

Three for three...

I decided to update the blog about all three of my grandchildren. And, since I haven't figured out how to upload pictures, add text, and then upload more pictures you get to read 3 posts. Maybe I can get my niece Sarah to send me email instructions! Anyway, here is the latest on "little" Sophie. She has started to enter that stage of development when babies are cooing and gurgling all the time. Her smiles are pleasant and pop onto her face with the tiniest of provocation. She is starting to notice her hands as they pass by her eyes and she is beginning to gain enough control over them to actually swat at toys. She is growing like a week and is such a rolly polly thing. We all love her bunches and are enjoying the changes that take place almost daily. Here are a few of the latest shots.

My favorite little man...

Having a class full of students that are close in age to Seth, makes me a better teacher. Each time I begin to lose patience or expect too much of one of my babies, I think of Seth. I ask myself, "Would you want Seth's teacher acting like this?" It has helped me appreciate the challenges of teaching instead of being overwhelmed or frustrated by them. Some of the things my students like to share with me are the latest scores from the last game their team played, the latest competition that their tumbling group held, their fastest time in their swimming trials, or just some goofy thing they have done at home. It is an exciting age to teach because so many things are new to them: the first lost tooth, the first time they rode their bike, the first time they tied their shoes alone, etc. Those little milestones are so precious to them and to me. I am so honored to be a small part in their little worlds.
I thought I would go through my pictures of Seth and find some pictures of his milestones. Here you see his jack-o-lantern smile, trying to tie Maggie's shoes, playing his first football game of the season, and chilling out at Schliterbahn. I sure love that little man.

From tape to stickers...

When Ryan was a tike and Scott was a toddler, I had to travel to Germany to join Ron for a 3 year assignment. The one thing that kept Scott occupied on that horrible flight was a roll of scotch tape. I would pull of a piece, stick it somewhere on his face, and he would spend between 15 & 30 minutes peeling it off, repositioning it, and wadding it up. I didn't mind; it kept him busy.
Since that time, I have tried to entertain the all other toddlers using the same cheap form of entertainment. It hasn't been nearly as enthralling for them as it was for Scott.
With the grandkids, I have graduated from scotch tape to the left over portion of a sticker page. Recently, Maggie was visiting and had used all the stickers on a sticker sheet when I started pulling off the remaining border material and sticking it all over my face. Maggie wasn't really sure she liked Mimi with all that stuff on her face. But, she enjoyed pulling it all off!

I hate my camera and I am blogging anyway...

I really don't like my camera. It was wonderful in its day, but with all the tech advances there have been since we bought it, the thing is like a dinosaur. Unfortunately, I have used it as an excuse to not blog. I know there are not unwritten laws regarding blogs and pictures, but I love seeing them on other people's blogs. It is my goal to go shopping with Scott now that he is home and buy myself a new camera.
Anyway, here is a quick run down on what is happening in the Searls household.
1) School is back in full swing. I have 19 curious, sweet, and relatively well behaved second graders plus a new curriculum to learn. Nothing like keeping the brain challenged. Still teaching RS on Sundays and hosting a gospel study enrichment group in my home once a month.
2) Ron is back from Phoenix and Little Rock, but on his way to Colorado Springs. While he is home, he helps to coach Seth's football team and stays busy with the "Old Geezers" at church.
3) The folks are great. Dad has been feeling fairly well lately and Mom says he is getting a lot of little things done around the house. Mom is still working on tons of quilting projects and staying busy with the bee and guild.
4) The kids are all busy: Ryan working and preparing to relocate to Costa Rica to teach English. Scott back from Iraq and considering becoming a fireman/paramedic. Becca & Ed: battling a mortgage company that has gone bankrupt. (Lots of worry on that front!) Leslie and G: enjoying a growing family and redecorating their bedroom.
5) The grandkids are beautiful and growing: Seth in 3rd. grade and playing football. Maggie: a big sister and chattering away in Spanish. Sophie: getting so round, plump and sweeter each day.
Now, that should hold me until I get a decent camera. Here are a few of the most recent pictures taken with the old camera.