I am so disappointed

by the results of the Presidential election, but I will continue to remain hopeful for the future. Besides prayer, I think hope is all we can rely on at this point.

On a bright note, the Tates celebrated Halloween in style! Kailey was a hot pink Supergirl, Jayden was Spiderman, Kris was Captain America in jeans, and I was Batgirl in jeans. Kris brought the kids to my school to join our Halloween party. Then in the evening, we trick-or-treated in our neighborhood and returned home to hand out candy. I was shocked when we had only 5 pieces left and it wasn't even 9 pm! We ended up turning our lights out and vowing to buy more candy (thought $20 worth would be enough!) next year. The kids LOVED trick-or-treating!

The next evening, Aunt Brenda came over so Kris and I could attend the Marine Corps Birthday Ball (ooh rah). It was a blast! The ceremony was at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, where we also stayed the night. The ceremony itself seemed slightly botched because there was little light, the Chicken Florentine was dry and rather tasteless, but the cake was yummy and the refreshments were cold. The dj also rocked, which totally made the night. As soon as the music started, we never left the dance floor (except to get on stage, dance on the tables, and get more refreshments, of course.). This birthday ball is one of the best times (out of the 11) I've had.

Now more than ever, we need to remember those who sacrificed for our freedom - thank them, appreciate them, acknowledge them. Let's cherish our freedom now, because we never know how long it will last. xo

'Tis the season for politics!

On Friday, Kailey, Jayden and I were three of 20,000 people in attendance at Bass Pro Shop to hear Sarah Palin speak to Springfield. Despite the weather (temp in the 40s), it was a fantastic experience. We arrived around 9:30 and joined the line for people who had tickets (my friend's husband got us VIP tickets...he rocks). The atmosphere was that of comraderie and anticipation. As a side note, when we entered the line, there were 2 protesters. We waited in line for about 30 minutes before entering the security zone. By this time, the protesters had grown to a whopping 7 people. This provided material for many jokes about Democrats among the crowd.

Getting through security was pretty much like getting on an airplane, except we got to keep our shoes on. As soon as we got through security I showed our tickets to someone and they directed me to a guy who escorted us to the VIP bleachers...fancy. I found my friend Kristy on the bleachers and we settled in. The program was due to start at 11, but Palin wouldn't arrive until noon. The GOP officials had warned everyone not to bring signs, which I thought was kind of strange. Shortly after we sat down, GOP workers passed out homemade and McCain/Palin signs to the crowds. We also got red, white and blue pom-poms. Did I mention it was cold?

For the next hour, we listened to music and talked with the people around us, waving our pompoms every time the sun peeked through the clouds. As 11:00 neared, the electricity of the crowd increased. Pierce Arrow (Branson singers) came out on stage and sang for us. They began the show with an emotional rendition of the Star Spangled Banner while we saluted the enormous flag on top of Bass Pro. Several state and local Republicans also spoke to the crowd. Next thing we knew, a guy animatedly introduced...Naomi Judd!! The crowd was literally silent for a few seconds while we processed that. Then we loudly welcomed her onstage. She talked about being a working mom, what America meant to her, and the goals of John Mc Cain and Sarah Palin. Then she introduced Sarah Palin.

The crowd erupted.

It was exciting and exhilerating. Governor Palin brought her daughters with her and talked about how the weather and Bass Pro Shop reminded her of home. (Another side note: my friend's husband drove the youngest daughter in the motorcade and she sang "all the mavericks in the house put your hands up" from SNL...how cool is that?) She began by thanking our troops, she reminded us that only one man in the race had fought for our country and he didn't plan to stop, she talked about how Joe the Plumber was able to accomplish what the Republican party has been trying to do for months, she discussed their education plan (allowing parents to choose the school their children attend), she reminded us of her accomplishments in the state of Alaska, she promised to remember she was working for us, she declared her love for our country (several times), and she attempted to renew our hope for the future. After the rally, she spent a good 30-45 minutes signing autographs, talking with people, holding babies, etc.

The biggest emotion I experienced from Sarah Palin and the entire rally was that of patriotism. I left the rally with pride for my country and hope for the future.

What great fall weather

we've been having! With the exception of a couple days, our weather has been a sunny 70-80 degrees by day with a cool 50s at night. It has provided us several opportunities for fall family fun. We enjoyed an evening at the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theatre drive-in movie and even though the movie wasn't super, it was a great time. We also went to a farm/park in Springfield where the kids got to play, make crafts, observe farm animals, jump in a bunch of hay, have their faces painted, etc. The farm also offers hay rides, a corn maze, and a pumpkin patch, but we decided to save those activities for a cooler day. We've done our share to cheer on Nixa's football team (both the kids love to go to the games so they can run around with their friends), we played kickball against my students, and we also attended the annual chili supper at my school. Kris and the kids are regulars at the Springfield Nature Center where they hike trails every week. I have been working a lot with my regular teaching duties, the committees I'm on (Care team and Characterplus Leadership team), my evening program, and homeschooling one of my students who just had a baby.

Kailey loves to write and practice spelling words. She asks me to give her a word, then she tries to spell it, and finally she asks me how to really spell it. It's so cool! She has a journal that she writes & draws in daily. Starting next week, Kailey will be attending preschool 2 days a week as a peer tutor. She is working on her back walkover and back handspring in gymnastics (yes it makes me nervous) and never ceases to amaze me.

Jayden is talking like crazy and it's so much fun! He speaks in sentences, and he is getting easier and easier to understand. He loves motorcycles (well, he loves any type of vehicle) and loves to play Mario Cart on the Wii. Jayden is also working on potty training. He finally decided to stop fighting us on the issue and is progressing nicely. I can almost see a shopping trip without buying diapers...

We made monster cookies

today and they turned out great! The pictures show Kailey and Jayden eating the cookies that inspired us, and then the ones we made.

We've been keeping busy this fall with all kinds of different activities: bowling, Wii, drive-in movie, Branson, friends, musicals, wedding, parties, basement, and work of course. Believe it or not, Jayden's bowled a strike his first time bowling! How cool is that?

This week, Kailey and I went with her friend Isaac to see a local production of High School Musical and it was great! Kailey loved it even though "they weren't the real HSM people." She sang the whole ride home (well, until we got ice cream). Last night, the four of us went to a drive-in movie in Branson. It was supposed to be Back to the Future, but turned out to be some other movie. The movie wasn't great, but it was fun hanging out in the back of the SUV, snuggling and eating candy. We are slowly, but surely moving into the basement. For the most part, it is finished; we now need to tend to the minor details and organize our stuff. Well, tomorrow begins another busy work-week, so I better get to bed. Good night! xoxo

Kailey and I flew to Florida

last weekend to visit our new niece/cousin, Ciera Nicole. She is beautiful! She has the best hair - way more hair than Kailey even had at a year! She is a great baby, eats well, and sleeps a lot. I forgot how much fun (and work) newborns are. Jake and Steph are great parents - involved, loving, proud. Although our trip was short, we got to see all the family on the east coast of Florida, and Kailey even got to swim. Kailey had an upset stomach the night we arrived in Florida and we found a worm in her pants on the flight home(yes, seriously...it was an inchworm and it was gross), but overall it was a great trip. Oh yeah, and a Haygood was on our plane from KC to Atlanta and then from Atlanta to KC. Kailey waved at him, but was too shy to talk to him. Another post (very) soon...xoxo

Kris and I swore we wouldn't

buy video games for our kids, but last week we succumbed, folded, gave up, gave in. That's right, we broke down and bought a Wii. That's why I haven't written in the past 2 weeks...been too busy playing video games. Ok, not really, but we've been having a bunch of fun with it. Kailey and Jayden are pretty good at the bowling and I am working hard to master Mario Kart. It all started at Uli and Jeena's when we spent half the night playing. On the ride home, Kris and I decided it might be a good gift from Santa, so we pledged to start looking for one immediately. Next thing I knew, I walked in from work to a gift that read "Wii love you!" Of course we set it up that night, created our Miis, and the rest is history. Check back for pictures/videos. xoxo

School is going well

so far this year. Our new principal fits right in with the rest of us and the atmosphere is so much different from the past few years. I've been busy with our night school, but I have a great group of kids who are there for the right reasons, and are willing to work for their diploma. I started working out again and have been slightly sore for the past couple weeks, but it feels good. So far no lung problems. Outside of work, we've been busy with swap meets (Kris), birthday parties (the kids), bachelorette party (me), baby shower (me & Kailey), and just hanging with friends. We went to Uli and Jeena's last night and had a blast playing with their Wii (definitely on our Christmas list). We always have a good time with them, and the kids get along great too. The rest of Labor Day weekend will involve some fun mixed with painting and installing doors and trim. Hopefully after tomorrow we will be using the basement...yay! Happy Labor Day!

xoxo