kids

Do you ever have those moments when you look at your kids and can't help but smile? And you think about how great they are and how glad you are to be their mom? This was one for me.

Send some good thoughts this way!

OK this is a plea for prayers, good thoughts, wishful thinking, etc on my behalf! I am in the process of getting a job as an elementary music teacher. I have everything in order and ready to go. The principal at the school I was the librarian for has already given the district my name as the music teacher for the fall. He has already hired my replacement for the library position. So now all I have to do is pass a test. A test I have already taken and failed. No pressure. I've studied a lot more this time around and I generally feel really good about taking it this time, but I'm nervous! (It doesn't help that Chris left for Iowa today to aid in the flood efforts!) I take it on Saturday. So if any of you read this before then wish me luck, say a prayer, think good thoughts because I HAVE to pass this test.

What a surprise!

I saw this on Julie's blog and got curious... What a shocker! I'm the only Gretchen Nicolaysen!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

I'm a changed woman!

So if you recall back in April I made a comment about how I hated sweeping my kitchen floor. It's amazing how walking around barefoot changes one's perspective. I'm sweeping several times a day now. Come on winter!!! (ONLY KIDDING!!)

Indiana Jones

So my mom was a big Indiana Jones fan. She LOVED Raiders of the Lost Ark. Anyway, a few months ago my youngest brother, Nick, had the brilliant idea for all of us to get together and go see the new Indiana Jones movie together in memory of my mom. Keith and Nick flew in over the weekend and we went to see it on Friday night. The movie wasn't great, but I do need to say that it was great hanging out with all 3 of my brothers! It was a very short trip, but a good one. I wish my sisters could have come too, but we'll have to work on that for my nephew's wedding in October. It's not very often that us Karnes kids get together, and even less often for happy occasions. I am always happy to report when even some of us get together for anything but a funeral!

Concert #2

Last night Chris and I (here we are again, this time I'm sporting a new hairdo) went to Redrocks again to see REM. This time we brought friends! Leslie & Tara came with us to get their own REM fix! (Be sure to check their blogs to get their version of this event!)
They had two opening acts. The National and Modest Mouse. Here we are with the lead singer of The National. Aren't we just so ROCK STAR??? Both bands did great! Check them out!

Then Michael Stipe and the boys came out. WOOOHOOO!
Michael Stipe has such a great stage presence! I love his voice and he dances like no one else. He gave an Obama shout out (which the crowd loved... me included) and we had pretty good seats. It would have been perfect if I could have emailed the play list beforehand so that I could hear all the songs I wanted to hear. I would say they only played 5 or 6 of their old songs. They played for not quite 2 hours and it was mostly their new stuff, not that it was bad, just not what I was there for. Here's video of Man on the Moon and Losing My Religion... (also not my favorites, but the best videos I had) Now we count down to Coldplay! :)

Sing it baby!

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR THE SUMMER!!!

Last Friday was my kids last day of school and Chris & my last day of work. It's amazing how different my perspective is looking at the end of the year as a teacher vs. just being a parent. The past few summers I was DREADING having the kids home all the time, wondering how the heck to entertain them all summer long. This summer I was counting down with them! I am SO looking forward to sleeping in, lounging by the pool if the weather will ever cooperate!:( and just hanging out with the girls. It's amazing how fast time flies when your kids are in school. Amazingly, we are looking at 5th and 6th grades this fall. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? Who knows! I just know that this summer my job is to enjoy my girls and thank my lucky stars I don't have to go to Girl's Camp! :)