--------------Proud Mom of Dean-------------

Planning

2012-01-28T19:36:00.000-08:00

So I am the super obsessive mom who starts planning her child's birthday party almost 2 months ahead of time! lol I just love it. This year Dean has not been able to decide between 3 themes and has decided to let me decide what it will be out of those 3. The deal is that he won't know what I picked until it is time for the party!

This years theme for his 9th birthday is going to Lego.

I have already found so many wonderful ideas such as as well as this. I can't wait to use these ideas as well as others for this totally awesome party!

Weight Loss Journey

2012-01-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

So far, so good! I am on day 25 of this journey and things are going well. I have lost about 5 pounds but more exciting than that is the amount of energy I have gained. I am also getting to experiment with tons of new recipes which of course is one of my favorite things to do! Hence my need for a 2nd blog. Click here to visit!Can't wait till I start seeing results enough that it requires a shopping trip for clothes!

NEWS!!!!!!

2012-01-10T16:01:00.000-08:00

I am very excited, I have started a cooking blog. Please check it out.

http://elisha-justcookin.blogspot.com/

A great Bargain!

2012-01-07T17:09:00.000-08:00

Did awesome at the 50% off sale at Goodwill today! The first Saturday of every month they have a 50% off the entire store sale! Today Dean and I along with my mom went.

Dean got 22 books, a pair of jeans, a hooded sweatshirt, and 7 long sleeve t-shirts. I got 2 new tops and a new sweater as well as a really funky lamp for my bedroom and a coffee table for the front room( needs a paint job but that's ok) all for $40.00!

Ups and Downs Week 1

2012-01-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

Been trying this healthy eating/ exercising thing for a week now and it has definitely had its up and downs. The ups are that my energy levels are higher, and in general am feeling pretty good. Have lost a few pounds too.
Now the downs, my muscles are so not use to this amount of activity and are fighting me on it. for 2 days straight I could barely get up and down off a chair my thighs were so sore. I don't think they were liking all the squats I have been doing! But they are better now!
I have also started walking in the mornings when i get to work before work actually starts. Have a coworker/friend who is also on this weight loss journey so we are walking together.

Thank you to everyone who has offered me words of support, I so appreciate them and can use all I can get!
I know that it is not all about weight and while I do need/want to lose weight, I mostly want to get healthy, I want to be able to take off a race Dean across the yard without feeling like I can not breathe!

I am ready for week 2~

A New Year

2011-12-31T09:05:00.000-08:00

So my New Year's Resolution as cliche as it sounds is to lose weight. I am involved in two weight loss challenges so hopefully this will be the incentive I need to carry through with this and actually get the job done!

Here is the last picture that was taken of me in 2011. Hopefully very soon i will have another one in which there is less of me!

I wish each and every one of you a Very Happy New Year! May all your wishes come true.

Goodbye 2011, hello 2012!

Christmas pictures from my new camera!

2011-12-31T08:49:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas part 2

2011-12-31T08:37:00.000-08:00

Once I opened my new camera, it was time for Dean to dig in. He was very excited when he opened his first present from Santa and found out he had brought him the Nintendo DSI xl finally. Dean has been asking for it for a few years now. He was also given several games to go with it as well as some matchbox cars and a case the holds 100 cars!
On to the gifts from mommy. I gave him a few accessories to go with his new video game system that Santa brought as well as about 30 new books, some new clothes, matchbox cars, and Legos.
After that it was my turn to open my gifts from Dean. Dean spent almost solely his own money this year to buy gifts, money he had been saving from working at my parents house over the summer. HE got me a candle, a #1 mom ruler to use at school, and a 3 crock slow cooker. This will be great to have when I am hosting a holiday at my house! Can't wait to use it. He came up with all of these ideas on his own, no grown up help at all except for getting the slow cooker into the cart and up on the check out counter!
Now I have to tell you that the living room at my parents was still full of gifts as we had to wait for my sister and her family to get there to open rest of them.

My sisters family showed up about an hour later and we opened presents again. The first present was to our parents. We got them a picture of the grandkids on a 16x20 canvas.
Next the kids got the their gifts from the respective aunts followed by my sister and I exchanging our gifts. The gift giving ended with my sister and I getting our gifts from our parents and our parents gifts to each other.

When every piece of wrapping paper had been torn off and every ribbon ripped from the packages we let the men clean up, the kids play, and my mom, sister and I made breakfast. Rest of the day was spent with everyone playing with their new gifts, munching on finger foods and just enjoying being with each other. It was a very Merry Christmas for all of us.

This is the picture we gave to our parents, only it was on stretched canvas.

Letters to and from Santa

2011-12-31T08:28:00.000-08:00

Dean set about writing his yearly letter to Santa and wanted no help from me. When he was finished he asked me to come read it. The majority of letter came as no surprise to me as he asked for all the things he had been telling me he wanted for the past several months. The end of his letter brought me to tears though. My sweet generous little boy asked Santa to bring his mommy a new camera. Apparently Dean had heard me complaining about the fact that my camera had died one too many times and decided Santa needed to fix the problem!

Dean also wrote Santa another letter that he left for him on Christmas eve right next to the cookies. He asked Santa if he ever gets presents from Mrs. Claus or the elves and what were they? He also asked what it was like to be Santa?

So Christmas morning arrived with presents from Santa as well as a letter to Dean. It answered his questions and at the end told Dean to let mommy open a special present first! Yep, Santa brought me a brand new camera, just in time for Christmas morning pictures!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-31T08:27:00.001-08:00

So we also have Christmas on Christmas Day of course. Dean and I actually go to my parents house on Christmas eve. This year we got there about 2pm. Unloaded the massive (embarrassingly massive) amount of gifts from my car as well as food. We spent the day just hanging out until it started to get dark then we jumped in the car and took a drive to look at Christmas lights. We saw some beautiful light displays as well as a living manger which was just beautiful! We came home, had a hot bowl of chili (or 2) got cookies ready for Santa as well as the letter Dean had written to Santa. Will post about that next. Every year Dean gets to open a present on Christmas Eve. He got new Christmas pj's (he gets them every year but hasn't seemed to realize that yet!)
Dean let my parents open one gift Christmas Eve as well. It was the book, "Frosty the Snowman" with him recorded reading it. Very cute. After this is was bath time for Dean and off to bed to wait for Santa to come.

Once he was in bed mom and I set about for our annual Christmas Eve activities. Watching "It's a Wonderful Life" while wrapping all of the last minute gifts.
I think we finally went to bed about 1 am. Dean woke us up about 6 very excited that Santa had come and had even left a letter behind for Dean.

Picture with Santa

2011-12-31T08:05:00.000-08:00

Dean had told me earlier in the season that he did not want to get his picture taken with Santa this year. That made this mommy pretty sad but he is almost 9 years old so I wasn't really shocked. We had seen several Santa's and he had no desire. Well Dean did write Santa a letter 2 actually( more about that later), He got a video message from Santa, a letter from Santa and on Christmas morning even got another letter from Santa.
One day we were in a store shopping for something that wasn't even related to Christmas and there he was. SANTA!
Dean immediately wanted to go talk to him and get his picture taken. I of course ran on it and got us over to Santa in record speed. Dean was not in any sort of Christmas outfit as he normally had been for Santa pictures but I didn't care. This could very possibly be our last picture with Santa so it didn't matter to me, just glad it was happening.

After talking to Santa and Mrs. Claus, and getting his picture taken with them, Dean very excitedly told me that this was indeed the real Santa! I asked him how he knew. His response was that he (Santa) talked just like he did in the video message so he knew it was the real one! IT was a priceless response. He was so positive of this. It made this Christmas season start off with a bang for my little 8 1/2 year old boy!

Merry Christmas part 1

2011-12-31T07:48:00.000-08:00

So every year we have 2 Christmas celebrations. The first one we have is usually the weekend prior to Christmas. This Christmas celebration is the one in which we have our huge Christmas dinner and exchange gifts with my aunt, uncle, cousin and grandma. We usually have tons of pictures, this year, yep you guessed it, NONE! Not a single picture. Mom hosted Christmas at her house, I still did not have a working camera and apparently no one else brought theirs! 2 holidays in a row that no pictures were taken. Craziness! This has to stop.

This year we ended up having it a week earlier due to a scheduling conflict with my uncles band. We decided our meal would not be quite as huge considering it had only been 2 weeks since Thanksgiving!
We did have a great meal though. It consisted of ham, au gratin potatoes, green beans, pretzel salad, corn, rolls, cranberry sauce, veggies with dip, and sweet tea. Topped off with many many many desserts!

We exchanged gifts. The kids and their parents ( my sister and I) got my aunt and uncle as well as my grandma new group pictures of the kids. My sister and I had taken the kids to the park over the summer and done our own photo shoot. They turned out really well! The kids all got tons pf presents, and my sister and I both got new blender sets which are already being put to great use!

After the meal and the gifts we played board games rest of the afternoon and fun was had by all!

These are the pictures we gave as gifts. They of course were in frames but you get the idea!

Acknowledgement

2011-12-30T19:56:00.000-08:00

Dean's Youth Basketball team was acknowledged during the High School Boys Varsity Basketball game the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The boys were asked to wear their uniforms and at halftime they were all asked to take the court. One by one, the boys names we called and they stepped forward to have their moment in the spotlight. Sure made this moms heart melt! The boys had a great time playing this year. Dean's Team ( Warriors 4) ended up having a terrific season with only 1 loss! Way to go boys!

Thanksgiving

2011-12-30T19:50:00.000-08:00

So my camera has been dying a very slow death therefore there was only one picture taken during Thanksgiving. It was at my house and apparently everyone thought that meant I was in charge of pictures. This is the only one that I got! lol

YIKES!!!

2011-12-30T19:19:00.000-08:00

I am so behind on this blog. There is only 1 day left in 2011 and I haven't posted anything since November 1st! OMG! Please forgive me, this holiday season seemed to fly by in one great big blur! Will try to use the next couple posts to fill in the last part of this year and officially promise to try to do better at blogging in 2012!

Happy Birthday

2011-11-01T17:08:00.000-07:00

To the kindest, most loving, most generous man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. You may not have been here on Earth with me for a long period of time but in that short amount of time we were able to spend together you taught me that true love is real and what unconditional love feels like. My life will never be the same because of your love and for that I will forever be grateful. Happy Birthday Shawn, Dean and I love you very much.

Anniversary

2011-10-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Wednesday October 19, 2011 will be my 9 year wedding anniversary. That day 9 years ago was one of the happiest days of my life as I married the man of my dreams, love of my life and the father of my unborn child. Shawn left just a few days later for Basic Training and we lost him 8 months later. We never celebrated an anniversary together while he was on this Earth but I still think about and love him just as much today as I 9 years ago. Happy Anniversary sweetheart. I will love you till the day I join you in Heaven.

Pumpkin Patch Fun

2011-10-15T18:01:00.000-07:00

We were invited to go to the pumpkin patch with a friend and her family. The weather was perfect, unseasonably warm and beautiful!

Apple Orchard

2011-09-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Dean and I took a trip to the apple orchard along with my sister and two nieces, and my mom (nana). We had a great time picking out apples, walking through the orchard, drinking apple cider slushies and of course taking pictures.

Basketball

2011-09-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

Playing some great defense!

Talking strategy on the bench with one of the coaches

Quick time-out pep talk with the coaches

Dean is playing basketball for the first time ever this year. He is loving it so far. He honestly had barely even picked up a basketball prior to this yet he has picked it up quite quickly! He has had 4 games so far, he has score in every game, and his team has won each game! Today's win was a hard earned one, the game went into over time and they ended up winning by one basket.

It has been so much fun so far watching the boys learn the game and go out and give it their all on the court.

Saturday night at Nana and Papaw's

2011-08-21T05:23:00.000-07:00

3rd grade

2011-08-17T18:41:00.000-07:00

Dean started 3rd grade August 16. I can not figure out where the time has gone!

Fun at the park

2011-08-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my sister and I took our kids to the park, spent a couple hours watching the kids play, had a picnic, then had a photo session. We are working on a Christmas gift for my parents and are trying to get a good picture of the 3 grandkids. These were the best ones we got.

ok so it wont let me download pics right now so will add those when blogger decides to cooperate!

Family Camping Trip

2011-08-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

(Dean hanging out by the fire)

(Dean with his papaw, my dad)

(View of the lake from our campsite)

July 29-31 we went on our family camping trip. We try to go at least once a year with everyone. Last year the weather kept us from going (major drought and no fires were allowed).
It was really hot this year(high 90's) but we made the best of it and had a great time!
This year is was Dean and I, my mom and dad, My sister her hubby, and their 2 girls!
The adults spent most of our time fishing and just hanging out,while the kids spent most of their time riding bikes and playing on the playground which was directly across from our sites!
We all had a great time and can't wait to go back!

I can't believe it!

2011-08-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

Summer break is almost over. We have 9 days left till school starts. Part of me is happy about that as it means I will once again be receiving a paycheck. Part of me is also sad that summer is coming to an end which means hectic days; rushed evenings of housework, homework, dinner, baths and bed. Dean gets home from school at 3:40 and goes to bed at 8:30. Doesnt leave time for much of anything!
No more lazy mornings hanging out watching cartoons together, no more making breakfast together in our jammies. No more playing outside in the sprinkler while taking breaks from mowing the yard. No more staying up late to watch a movie.
Dean is a bit nervous about 3rd grade. Not really sure why but he is. Trying my best to tell him it will be ok and not that much different than 2nd grade(even though I know it will be harder)
I am a bit nervous for this school year as well. Starting a new position in the school this year myself. I am leaving the preschool and becoming an aide. I will be working with kids K-5th grade! Not sure what all I will be doing and I think that is what makes me nervous, The unknown! With preschool I knew what to expect and what was expected of me.I know I shouldnt be nervous, I know all the teachers and most of the students but still......

new thank you cards from Shutterfly

2011-07-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

A much needed trip

2011-06-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

With that significance of the last week, I needed to get away. Now my mom had been wanting to go to Virginia to visit Monticello (Home of Thomas Jefferson)ever since went to Washington Dc a couple years ago and visited Mt. Vernon (Home of George Washington). We decided that this was a good time to take that trip. So mom and I left on our trip on Thursday. My dad kept Dean as this would not have been an interesting trip for an active 8 year old boy!
Mom and I had the best time. The weather was perfect. It rained for about 20 minutes while we were there but we were inside an antique store shopping so it didn't bother us anyways.
We actually ended up going to Montpelier (home of James and Dolly Madison) on Friday. We spent about 5 hours touring the home and the grounds of this beautiful plantation. This meant a lot of walking but it was gorgeous and very educational! After our visit there, we went antiquing. We both found tons of things we wanted but in the end had some restraint and decided only on purchasing a few things each.
Saturday we went to Ash Lawn Highland (Home of James Monroe) followed by Monticello, Mitchie Tavern( 18th century tavern), and a mountain top orchard where we were lucky enough to be able to sit and enjoy a lovely bluegrass concert on top of the mountain with a beautiful 360* view.
We came home on Sunday. The drive there and back were just as much fun as the things we did while we were in Virginia!
I love traveling with my mom and am so thankful we are able to have that time together to just be silly and experience things for the first time together.
It was a great distraction for me during a bad week.

Will post some pictures later.

8 years

2011-06-15T12:19:00.001-07:00

8 years ago today my life was normal. Or at least as normal as it could be for a 25 year old with a 3 month old baby and a husband who was deployed to Iraq. i was anxiously waiting for the next time I would get get a phone call with terrible reception and the chance to get to talk to Shawn. Looking forward to that next trip to the mailbox to see if there was a cherished letter waiting for me. When I went to bed 8 years ago today, I never dreamed that I would never in my life forget the next 2 days.
I went about June 16, 2003 as I did any other day. I took care of Dean, I planned the next care package I would send to Shawn, and I wrote him his daily letter. I went to bed that night not knowing that my worst nightmare was coming true.
At 6:30 am June 17, 2003 I was sitting in the back bedroom of my parents home( where Dean and I were staying until Shawn came home) feeding Dean, expecting to go back to sleep for awhile and for mom and dad to come sneak into my room and get Dean when he woke up again to let me sleep. I did not go back to sleep.
There was a knock on the backdoor, instantly I knew who it was a why they were there. I couldn't move, part of me thought that if I didn't get out of bed, it wouldn't happen.
My dad came to the bedroom and told me that I needed to go to the door. I have never seen my poor dad look like that. He was already heartbroken and he hadn't even been told yet. I headed to the door,handing Dean to my dad. i walked outside, was asked if I was Elisha B Pahnke, wife of PFC Shawn D Pahnke. I said yes, and was told that they deeply regretting having to tell me that he had been killed while on a mission. The next thing i remember is my dad picking me up off the sidewalk. The next week is a blur of moments in time, snippets of conversations, and vague memories of visitors to the house, funeral preparations, and the funeral. The only thing that got my thru those days was holding my baby. I don't think I let many people hold him, he was what was keeping me standing up, breathing, able to function at all.
My heart was broken that day and it will forever remain broken. I will never be the person I was 8 years ago, I am told i am strong however I am not feeling so strong. I am merely surviving and doing what I have to do to give my son the best life possible.
I love you Dean. You daddy loves you.

Shawn, Dean and I love you so much. You are missed more that imaginable and you will never be forgotten.

Prayers needed

2011-06-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Friends, please keep Dean and I in your thoughts and prayers this evening. We are going to a memorial program for Fallen Soldiers. I have not gone to many things lately as it brings the emotions right back to the surface and is just too hard. I have felt in my heart that I needed to attend this one but now as tonight approaches I am sick to my stomach just thinking about going. Shawn will have been gone 8 years on this coming Thursday so it is just an extremely emotional time for me. I need prayers for strength to get thru tonight and this coming week

Goodbye 2nd grade

2011-06-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

Got Dean's last report card for 2nd grade today. 9 A's and 1 B !!!! Couldn't be more proud of that boy! Can't wait to see all the things he learns in 3rd grade!

Baseball

2011-06-05T17:08:00.000-07:00

We were treated to free tickets to go see the Indianapolis Indians games today by the school district that I work for. It was the perfect day. Dean and I took my parents and we have a great time! We got free t-shirts, Dean got his picture taken with Rowdy, the mascot and got his autograph on Dean's t-shirt.

In Memory

2011-05-23T12:32:00.001-07:00

2011 Little League Picture

2011-05-22T04:54:00.000-07:00

2nd grade spring school pictures

2011-05-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Inter-State Studio & Publishing Company

Gardening

2011-05-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

Finally got my garden planted today! now the wait begins till I get to start reaping the rewards......

Sorry

2011-05-07T05:42:00.000-07:00

For the few people who read my blog, I am sorry it has been over a month since I last posted on here. It is that time of the year where things are crazy at school getting ready for the end of the school year as well as busy here at home getting the outdoors ready for summer. I have a few blogs floating around in my head so will try to get those on here in the next day or so.

Spring Break Pictures

2011-04-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

Spring Break

2011-04-04T18:59:00.000-07:00

This past week was our Spring Break. I took Dean and my oldest niece to Illinois to visit Dean's dads side of the family this past weekend. We had a really nice trip. We got to visit Deans grandpa Tom at his work for a little while, then we went over to the cemetery and put yellow roses on Shawn's grave. As it always does, it poured down rain while we were there!Friday night, we had dinner with Grandpa Tom, Uncle Glen, Aunt Julie and their adorable daughter MJ. We went back to our hotel and proceeded to have a belated birthday/Christmas gift exchange.
Saturday we took a train trip( The kids and my first time on a train) to Chicago and went to the Field Museum. Spent about 4 hours at the museum and had an amazing time!
We got home late Sunday afternoon, The visit was not nearly long enough and I can not wait to see them all again.

Curious

2011-03-30T14:36:00.000-07:00

Ok so wondering if the rest of you who actually read this blog can see all the pictures in the album on Birthday part 2 post?

Birthday Part 2

2011-03-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

Birthday Part 2

2011-03-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

Birthday Party, part 1

2011-03-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

The local Recruiting office is awesome! After I talked to a friend (Shawn's Recruiter) who is now stationed in Fargo, ND. I contacted the local recruiting office and they donated goodie bags for all the boys. They were Army plastic bags.Inside there were water bottles, key chains, lanyards, pins, pencils, bracelets, sunglasses, and stickers. They made up 9 of those bags, 1 for each boy! I was shocked, I thought maybe I would get some pencils and stickers but they went above and beyond and hooked the boys up! They were all so excited to get REAL ARMY stuff!

Dean's Birthday Party Invitations

2011-03-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

Its Baseball time..............almost

2011-03-04T18:38:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning I am chauffeuring a group of 5 little leaguers to a baseball clinic at a local high school. Little League sign ups are March 17th. Guess it is time to go buy some new cleats and baseball pants. honestly, I can not wait for Baseball season! I love it.

Seriously..............AGAIN?

2011-02-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

Just returned from the Dr.'s office. Dean has strep throat for the 2nd time in a month! Dr. says if he gets it a total of 4 times this season, the insurance company will want his tonsils taken out. Hoping it doesn't come to that!

Birthday Ideas

2011-02-20T18:55:00.000-08:00

So this is what we have so far................ Tank Pinata, Helmets, Dog tags, Canteens

If it's not one thing..........

2011-02-20T08:06:00.000-08:00

It's another. So I am feeling better now but now Dean isn't. Yesterday afternoon he started complaining of a sore throat. Last night he ran a fever all night long and just cried in his sleep. He is feeling some better today, thankfully no fever so that helps a ton. He was supposed to go to his best friends birthday party today but I think he will be missing that. As you can imagine, he is not happy about that. I promised him that later this week when he is feeling better, his friend can come over.

We are in the planning stages of Dean's birthday party. This is the first year he has wanted to have a party with friends, every other year he has just wanted family. We will be having a small friends party the day before his birthday then have family over on his birthday (March 20). So he actually will end up having 2 parties! His party this year is going to be Army themed. VERY CUTE! The plan is to make individual cakes for the boys, shaped like tanks. Their party hats are going to be helmets and they will be drinking out of canteens. Every boy will also get a set of dog tags. The invitations, I am making them. will post pics of them as soon as i get them finished. I am not sure who is more excited about this party, him or me but I do know it will be fun for all of us!

Ugh

2011-02-15T15:40:00.000-08:00

I think I am getting sick. A couple days ago I couldn't get warm. Yesterday, massive headache. Today, scratchy throat and congestion.

I am not sick, I am not sick, I am not sick, I am not sick, I am not sick, I am not sick.

If I say it enough times, do you think it will be true? Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T13:57:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a day full of love!

Midterms

2011-02-11T19:09:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know what your thinking... "Didn't she just post about Dean's report card?" Well the answer to that is yes I did. We had actually gotten the report cards a while ago but I had just now gotten around to updating my blog. Please forgive me!

So Dean brought his midterm home today and in my quest to keep this blog updated better, I am posting his grades the same day I received them!

Reading B+
Language A+
Spelling A+
Writing A+
Math B+
Social Studies A+
Art A+
Music A
PE A

We missed several days due to snow and the teacher sent a note home with the class saying eh sees the B's going up once there are more grades taken. Dean is really wanting to get straight A's on this next report card so hopefully we can get those 2 pesky B's up.

Weather Forecast

2011-02-05T09:49:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of WRTV6:

"A weak storm system to the south of the region is responsible for the latest wintry blast. It is expected to scoot by to the east later in the day, ending the accumulating snow. Accumulations are expected to be in the 2- to 4-inch range across central Indiana.

More snow will be in the forecast again early next week.

Another storm system is poised to move through the region, bringing Indiana another dose of snow on Monday and Monday night.

Yet more snow is expected in the middle of next week, accompanied by an arctic blast that will plunge high temperatures into the teens."

Really wishing I were a bear right now and could just hibernate until this is all gone.

Where's Waldo?

2011-02-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

Or our version..........Where's Dean?

Report Card Time

2011-02-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

Dean’s Report Card

Reading 95% A-
Language 94% A-
Spelling 97% A
Writing 96% A
Math 90% B
Social Studies 98% A
Science 99% A+
Art 100% A+
Music 98% A
P.E. 96% A

So incredibly proud of my little boy! He is one smart cookie and always tries his hardest!

Note from Teacher: Dean is doing a fantastic job in class and has exceptional behavior. Many of the students are having some trouble understanding double digit subtraction. If you work with him at home his math grade will improve. Dean is a good helper, quiet listener, and a friend to others. He is a joy to have in my classroom.

The part about the math grade is because Dean is wanting to have all A’s and that is the only B he has! He has asked his teacher on his own doing how he can make it an A.

MIA

2011-02-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

I am sorry I have been missing. I was told that I have been missed. Honestly until I got that message I really hadn't realized how long it had been since I had posted. So to my loyal and faithful readers, I apologize.

Things here have been..... well.....cold and snowy and icy! and there seems to be no end in sight. I have not worked a full work week since 2 weeks before Christmas. Since then we have had many 2-hour delays( which means I don't work); or no school at all due to snow and/or ice; or Dean or myself have been sick (which means I don't work). I seem to be averaging about 2-3 days a week. This week being the exception and my only working on Monday! When you only work 4 hours and 45 minutes a day, working only 2 day out of the week makes paychecks barely worth even taking to the bank!

Christmas Morning at our house 2010

2010-12-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

2010-12-28T18:25:00.001-08:00

Christmas Jammies

Cookies and a Pepsi for Santa!

Sledding

2010-12-28T18:20:00.000-08:00

We spent 2 different days at my parents house sledding. We had a blast although I definitely felt the pain the following days.

Christmas Cookies

2010-12-28T18:15:00.000-08:00

Every year, the grandkids all go to my parents house and decorate Christmas cookies with my mom (Nana).

Haley, Dean and Emily

Snow days

2010-12-16T18:36:00.001-08:00

Well this was supposed to be my last week of work for 2010. I ended up only working 1 day. You see, Monday we have snow day so no school at all. Tuesday we had a 2 hour delay and there was no preschool, therefore I did not work. Worked on Wednesday, Snow day today so school was closed, and as of tonight, we have a 2 hour delay tomorrow which means I will not work. Now do not get me wrong, i enjoy the time off. I however will not enjoy the paycheck that will have one poor little day of work on it.my work day is only 4 hours and 45 minutes so that doesn't make for a very pretty check.

This is how Dean and I spent today's snow day!

2010-11-19T19:16:00.001-08:00

Report Cards/ Parent Teacher Conference

2010-10-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

Reading B+
Language B
Spelling A-
Writing A
Math B
Social Studies A
Science A
Art A+
Music A
Physical Education A

Only complaint from the teacher was he reads too fast, needs to take a little more time to get more comprehension.

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

Dean's 2nd grade school picture

2010-10-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

Midterms

2010-09-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

Dean did pretty well on his Midterm. He got 4 A's, 5 B's and 1 C. We are working on getting that C up to a B so he can make the Honor Roll when report cards come out.

The things they do in 2nd grade amaze me. Sure is different from when I was in 2nd grade. They start learning cursive next week. Learning the difference between a predicate and a subject, doing reverse addition to figure out a subtraction problem.

Is it bad that I had to look up what a predicate even was before I could help him with his homework. 2nd grade homework makes this mom feel dumb!

Back In the swing of things....

2010-08-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

School is going pretty good. The routine has been fairly easy to get back into. Work is pretty crazy. We have some kids in my preschool class that come only Mon. Wed. and Fri., we have some who come only on Tuesday and Thursday and then another group who come Mon.-Fri.
In total we have 23 students. That may not seem like very many but for anyone who is around little kids, 23 kids between the ages of 3-5 is alot!
We have been in school for a total of 10 school days and still have a few who cry every day. Lots of new people and new routines for their days. It is getting better every day but is taking some time.

Dean is doing great in 2nd grade. He likes his teacher, He has a male teacher this year which he seems to really like. He is in class with several of his really close friends and of course has gone to school with all of his classmates since kindergarten so knows everyone. He is hating doing homework at night( at least 2 pages per night) but he was that way last year. I just keep encouraging him to go ahead and get it done and over with and he does it, just not without a fair share of complaining. I guess most moms hear that though.

All in all things are going well.

Praying for those friends of mine who have children heading overseas to defend our freedoms. You and your soldiers are in mt thoughts and prayers.

It's that time!

2010-08-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

School starts Wednesday morning at 8 am. Dean and I both go back that day. I will admit, I am not ready to go back. I am not ready for the early wake up call. I am not ready , I am not ready, I am not ready. You think if I say it enough times, they will extend the start date by a few more weeks? Yeah, I didn't really think so either.

Shelby County Fair 2010 Photography

2010-07-22T16:52:00.001-07:00

<---1st place
<----2nd place

honorable mention

2nd place

Shelby County Fair 2010-Food Preservation

2010-07-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

Spaghetti Sauce
1st place
Champion
Grand Champion

Shelby County Fair 2010- Cake and Bread

2010-07-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

Zucchini Bread 2nd place
Lemon Ricotta Bundt Cake 1st place

Shelby County Fair 2010-cookies

2010-07-22T16:35:00.001-07:00

Lemon Ricotta Cookies-1st place, Reserve Champion

Coconut Macaroons 2nd place

Nutella Pinwheels-2nd place

2010 Shelby County Fair- Pies

2010-07-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Cream Pie --3rd place

Banana Cream pie--1st place---->

Dean 4-H

2010-07-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

Dean is in Mini 4-H . This is his 2nd year.
Each exhibitor in Mini 4-H has to present their project to a judge and is critiqued. They all receive a participation ribbon.
This year his projects were:
Woodworking-- book ends
Construction--Lego race car, garage, and pit crew
Model--T-Rex

Happy/Sad Day

2010-06-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

7 years ago tonight, Shawn was killed. We didnt find out until the morning of the 17th. When people ask me when he died, I always have to explain this.

So anyways today is a sad day for me and rest of my family as well as Shawns family and friends.

Today is a happy day though too.

Shawn's brother had his first baby ( a girl) this morning at 12:15 am. She and mommy are both doing well.

How is it that a person can be so happy yet so sad at the very same time.

Baseball

2010-06-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

Dean has been playing this season of Little League for about 3 weeks now. They are currently 3-2. My dad is the teams sponsor which means that his company's name is on Dean's teams shirts. My dad is also the assistant coach and Ryan is the coach. This is Dean's second season and he seems to be loving it. I think he gets the baseball gene from his daddy.

The town is supposed to have a parade next month and if all goes as planned the Little League teams will be participating in the parade.

The poor baby!

2010-05-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

Saturday my niece was playing in a bounce house and fell, we thought she twister her ankle or pulled a muscle but there was no swelling or discoloring or anything. She was favoring it and not wanting to walk on it over the weekend but not in a ton of pain, so my sister decided to take her to the Dr. this morning just to be on the safe side.

She fractured her tibia! she is in a cast from her toes to the middle of her thigh and must be in a wheel chair for the next 2 weeks. after that the hope to get her in a boot so she can be a little more mobile.

She is 6 years old and has 9 days left of kindergarten, what a way to end the school year and start summer vacation!

Headaches

2010-05-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

Grrr...... I am steaming right now. My head is pounding, and I am trying really hard to keep my mouth shut to a point and not get myself in trouble. So instead, you guys get to hear me vent!

Ok so Ryan and dad are coaching Dean' s little league team. We are finishing up tonights practice and another coach asks us if we have heard about the new rule regarding pitching to our 8 year old players. (in the 5-8 year group, coaches pitch underhand) We had not heard anything so investigated and have found out that the rules have been changed and now our 8 year olds are to be fast pitched to over hand. Now we have been practicing for 3 weeks now and games start in 2 weeks. No announcement was made regarding this rule change and several coaches did not know about it and only found out about it tonight.

We have voiced our opinion in as diplomatic way as possible but there are several coaches who are VERY upset about this newest development. Now the coaches who have only pitched underhand must start pitching over hand but only for a few players per team and now our players have to learn to hit fast pitches in the 2 weeks we have before games start.

Ok I am done, I would like to say I feel better but then I would be lying. Think I will just go to bed and dream about the things I would like to do to who ever made this decision without consulting any of the coaches.

And it begins......

2010-04-24T17:44:00.001-07:00

Baseball season has begun in the Pahnke household. Dean started practicing this past week and is loving it. He is doing really well and is so much more confident than last year. He should have a pretty good advantage this year as his coaches are Ryan and my dad. My dad is sponsoring the team so thats pretty cool too. And I am team mom. Making sure everyone has their equipment and is where they need to be. lol

Games do not start until May 22, will be practicing until then.

I love this time of the year.

Spring Storms!

2010-04-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

We have gotten quite a bit of rain the past few days and for the past 2 days have had spring storms. Tornado watches, severe Thunderstorm warnings. Rain, thunder, lightning, and even hail.

Thankfully no damage but makes for some interesting evenings here at the house for sure.

Here is Dean very excited about the aftermath of the hail storm night before last! Right before he went to bed.

In the dark

2010-03-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

We spent yesterday enjoying Marengo Cave. We did two different tours. He loved it! The entire family went, my nieces first times at a cave as well. I hadn't been since I was a kid and enjoyed it as much as I did back then. It is amazing that something so beautiful is right under our feet and we don't even realize it.

I wil try to post a few pics later.

We go back to school tomorrow after a nice Spring Break. Time to get rest of the school year under way. Can't wait for summer break, get to go on vacation with 2 of my best friends.... my mom and my sister!

Dean's Birthday Cake

2010-03-20T17:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Dean!

2010-03-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

Today Dean turned 7 years old! Where have the years gone. Seems like only yesterday that we first saw his sweet little face. 7 years ago I sat in the hospital room in complete awe of how tiny he was, today I sit in awe at how big he is. He is 4'1/2". Getting ready to start his 2nd year of baseball and doing great in first grade!. I am so incredibly proud of him.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Wishing each of you a little bit of the luck of the Irish.

Dean's middle name is Patrick named after St.Patrick so the holiday is especially important to us!

Waiting

2010-03-13T07:21:00.000-08:00

Waiting on the furnace repair guy to come. why couldn't my furnace hold out just a little while longer. Hopefully it wont be too major of an ordeal getting it up and running again.

Work

2010-02-23T13:10:00.000-08:00

Well I have been able to work yesterday and today so this week is off to a good start. Of course there is a chance of 1-3 inches of snow again Thursday morning so hopefully it comes in light and doesnt make the roads a nightmare again.

It has been fairly warm this week, a lot of the snow has melted away which is nice.

25 days left till spring. I can't wait. However, that laso means that in 25 days my baby will be 7 years old. How is that even possible?

Snow Break

2010-02-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I have not worked since February 5. Since then we have had 7 snow days and 3 2-hour delays at school. I do not work when there is a 2-hour delay as my kids would only have 1/2 hour left of class by the time we would get there. There is a chance of another winter storm Sunday night into Monday and Tuesday then a chance of snow every day next week. For the winter storm, if the front goes just a little north of the Ohio River, we will get mostly rain. If it goes thru south of the Ohio River, it will be snow, around 9 inches or so. UGH . Am really hoping for the rain as we will have to extend our school year if we have to miss any more days. I do not want to have to do that AND a paycheck soon would be GREAT!

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy snow and we have had a great time sledding and snowmobiling and what not but we have had our fun and are ready for spring please.

Report Card

2010-01-08T16:10:00.000-08:00

Dean brought home his report card. I am so proud of him.

For the 3 main subjects, the state has a % grade.
95-100%
80-94%
70-79%
lower than 69%
Rest of the subjects are graded as follows.
P= proficient in the skills
S= satisfactory work
N=Needs improvement
U-Unsatisfactory work

So Dean got the following:

Reading 89%
Spelling 100%
Math 96%
Writing S
Handwriting S
Communication Skills S
Social Studies S
Science/ Health S
School Behavior/Habits S
Physical Education S
Art S
Music S

and Perfect Attendance !!!!

He needs to work on reading more fluently, he second guesses himself of words alot so doesnt read smoothly, thus affecting his reading grade. Hope to work on that a lot this 9 weeks and get that grade up there with rest of them.

To my dearest friend

2010-01-08T16:07:00.000-08:00

You know who you are. I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers and if there is anything I can do for you, just say the word and I will be there! I love you

It's Over

2010-01-04T18:41:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the end of Christmas break. School starts again tomorrow at 8 am. I have to admit, I am not looking forward to it. I have gotten used to staying up late and sleeping in. I already know I am not going to want to get out of bed in the morning.

I haven't gotten very much done in the past two weeks. At least not as much as I had hoped for.

But then again, is there ever enough time to get all the things we want to do done?

Christmas

2009-12-27T14:30:00.001-08:00

We had a great Christmas. Here is a pic of Dean Christmas Even night just before he went to bed to wait for Santa to come.

Christmas Break

2009-12-17T17:35:00.000-08:00

I do not think I have ever truely appreciated Christmas break at school as much as I am going to this year. Being a teacher at the school, I must admit I am looking forward to the next two weeks out of school.

Of course I am looking forward to the holiday itself and all that it means. However I am also looking forward to not hearing the alarm clock every morning or the tattling that goes along with being a preschool teacher. lol

Tomorrow is the last day before Christmas break. We return to school January 5th!

I am done!

2009-12-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

All of the Christmas gifts have been bought, now just to finish wrapping the last few. I have a few batches of cookies and candy to make but that will wait until next week. Very excited about Christmas this year as Dean is getting EXACTLY what he has asked for. He actually asked for it last year too but didn't get it so I know he will be a very excited little boy Christmas morning when he realizes he finally got it!

Hope everyone is having a very merry Christmas season!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T13:09:00.000-08:00

I sit here taking a break from preparing the food for tomorrow. I pray that each and every one of my friends and family members have a very blessed Thanksgiving Day.

I am thankful for each of you. You each bring something unique to my life and for that I thank you and I thank God for bringing you into my life.

Toothless

2009-11-15T17:36:00.000-08:00

That is my new nick name for Dean. He lost another tooth yesterday. He is now missing three of his front teeth. I will get a picture tomorrow to share will all of you. He is so darn cute.

Veteran's Day

2009-11-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

I am praying that each and everyone one of us stops and thinks about what Veteran's Day is really about. I pray that each and everyone of us has the chance to thank a veteran and to also remember those who were not lucky enough to come home after defending our country and our freedoms.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ruth-stonesifer/veterans-day-not-for-sale_b_350899.html

In Memory

2009-11-01T18:59:00.000-08:00

Shawn David Pahnke

(November 2, 1977-July 16, 2003)

KIA Iraq

Shawn, you are always in our thoughts and our hearts. You wil never be forgotten. I love you as much today as I did the day we were married. I know you are watching over Dean and I every day. I can feel you around us. Dean is so much like you it is almost scary sometimes.

We love you.

Happy Birthday Dad

2009-10-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

My dad will not see this but I still wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday. (10-26-56)
My dad has been a great dad. He has taught me so many things and for that I will forever be grateful. My dad is strong and a hard worker and stands up for what he believes in. I hope my little boy turns out to be the kind of man my dad is.

My dad and mom are on vacation in Florida for their birthday's. I hope they are having a great time.

I love you Dad. Happy Birthday.

Fall Break

2009-10-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

Dean and I have been off for Fall Break since Tuesday afternoon. It flew by!! Back to school tomorrow for the both of us. I think he is ready to go back. This week will be a fun one for him at school especially since Friday will be taken up by the Halloween party.

It will be a busy week for me. Several projects for my class to work on. We also have a Halloween party Friday. I need to finish getting my costume ready for Friday as well as Dean's. Then have a different costume for Dean to wear for trick or treating. (the costume for school has to be one he can get in and out of by himself and the yellow peanut M&M he is trick or treating is a 2 person job, so he is going as a race car driver for school)

I am also still trying to get things done for the craft fair (Nov. 7). Will post more about that later this week. Maybe with some pictures of completed projects!

Off to get some sleep. Not going to want to get up early in the morning!

Good night and have a great Monday!

Happy Birthday Mom

2009-10-16T16:04:00.001-07:00

She will not see this but I still wanted to wish my mom a Happy Birthday 10/18/60.

I am lucky to say that my mom is my best friend. It hasn't always been that way. The things that make us best friends now made it hard for us to get along when I was a teenager. We are just so much alike. I am pretty sure if she had had the money she would have sent me away for school. lol

My mom is a strong woman with a huge heart. She would do anything for her family and never ceases to amaze me with her unconditional and unwavering love for all of us.

I hope this year brings many wonderful things to my mother.

Happy Birthday mom, I love you!

October already?

2009-10-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Really? Wow where is has this year went? It is flying by.

Today I am taking Dean to the pumpkin patch. Next weekend we are going to the Apple Fest at the Apple Orchard down the road from us. He has picked his Halloween costumes. Yes that was meant to be plural. He found one costume at a yard sale that he is going to wear fr trick or treating. He also has a Halloween party at school and is going to wear a different costume for that as the one he is going to trick or treat in is a little difficult for him to get into by himself.

For the party he is going to be a Motocross Dirt Bike Racer and for trick or treating he is going to be a yellow M&M.

Hopefully I will have some pictures to post on here later today from the pumpkin patch.

Hope everyone is having a great day and a wonderful weekend.

Frustrated

2009-09-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

Had a bad day at work today. One of my students was not feeling well today and decided to take his frustrations out on me today. I ended up being head butted in the temple today and still have a headache from it. He was just frustrated and really doesn't know he did it but that isn't making my head feel any better today.

I am hoping he is feeling better tomorrow and that we have a more productive day with him tomorrow.

Sorry, just had to vent a little.