Ode to 7007

Friday we said good-bye to a special place.  In May of 1997 we purchased our first house.  We laughed in that house, we cried in that house.  We brought our babies home for the first time to this house.  Special memories were made there, holidays celebrated.  Ultimately, it's just a house made of wood, a dwelling, but it was our home for 15 years. 

Good-bye 7007!  May the new family enjoy living there as much as we did!

 

 

 

 

Sutherlin High School's Newest Teacher

I got a job!  Last week was grueling!  I had an interview on Tuesday with the expectation (told to me) that I would get a call good or bad on Wednesday.  There was no phone call Wednesday.  Thursday morning I began filling out my paperwork to be a substitute thinking that they chose someone who was already familiar with the school and the area.  Out of curiosity I texted my friend, Robynn at GFMS, who was also one of my references, just to find out if she had been contacted by the principal.  She texted back and said yes and that Dave (my former principal) had too.  This made me think that either I would be offered the position or they were trying to narrow down their choices.

Less than an hour later, I was called and offered the position, which I quickly accepted!  Now I know why I didn't get those other jobs!  God knows our hearts and desires!  He knew that I have wanted to teach high school since I first got my teaching certificate back in 1994!  Other wonderful opportunities came my way and molded me into the teacher that I am today.  Not that I am "all that" by any means, but I will be a much better high school teacher with the experiences I've had. (Thanks VVMS and GFMS!!!)

So what am I teaching?  I have first period prep, four classes of sophomore World History and two classes of senior Economics.  School started September 4th.  My first day was Monday, the 17th.  I'm slowly getting the hang of things and am determined to know all of my students' names by Friday!  I'm more than halfway there.

This is a "before" picture of my classroom.  It's been VERY hard for me not to try to fix it up.  It's kind of a sad classroom and needs some love and care.  Once I feel like I'm somewhat caught up I'll take time to really spruce it up. 

Mom and Dad Stehr Visiting for Vaughn's Birthday

It was so great to have Bob and Lois (Vaughn's mom and dad) visit us last weekend!  We still had our hot weather to share with them.  It was so nice to spend time with them and catch up on the latest happenings.  They were very gracious even though I was preoccupied with what I was facing come Monday.  We had yummy food at Red Robin in Roseburg on Saturday and of course went to Tolly's in Oakland on Sunday after church to celebrate Vaughn's birthday. 

Vaughn's birthday meal at Tolly's

Celebrating the big 45! 

Mom and Dad's (Wiley) Visit

My mom and dad arrived last Thursday to visit us on their way to San Diego for my cousin, Adrian's, wedding.  They stayed long enough to eat breakfast at Tolly's, go with me to pick up the kids from school, eat dinner at Migado's (yummy Asian restaurant in town), visit the dog park to see Klaus run, run, run, and go to Calapooia FMC's 9am service.  We had a lot of time to just sit and visit.  It was so nice to do that in person!  They headed south this morning (Monday), and we should see them again briefly when they are on their way back to Marysville.

Dinner at Migado's
 

Vaughn Tries Something New

Our move to Sutherlin has helped us branch out and try things that we've never done before.  Vaughn had just such an experience last week when a few men from church invited him to go "shooting".  Way out of town, at a gravel pit was their destination.  Besides shooting quarters off trees with his cousins when he was about Faith's age, he hasn't handled guns.  Dick, Clyde and Mark gave Vaughn the chance to try a 9mm, a 44, a shotgun and a 22 pistol.  It was in the 90s that day with no shade and a lot of dust, so he was pretty tuckered out when he got home. 

First Day of School!

The day has finally arrived!  Some nerves, jitters and a lot of excitement ushered in this first day of 7th grade for Faith and 3rd grade for Griffin.  Thank you to everyone who has prayed for our kids in this transition.

Griffin's ready to go!

Phew! Let's get this day over with!

The traditional first day picture at the front door
 



Griffin getting settled in his new classroom
 

Labor Day Outing

 

 

We'd been wanting to check out Stewart Park in Roseburg since moving to the area, so that's what we did on Labor Day.  The Umpqua River borders part of the park.  There was also a fun playground for the kids to check out.

 

Waiting....

I try to be a patient person, but it sure is hard sometimes!  I know from experience that God has great things in store for me and my family, but it's the waiting that really gets me down!  We are getting closer to closing on our Marysville house, but we're not there yet.  Waiting.  I applied for an interesting job, but haven't heard anything. Waiting.  We are still living in an apartment.  Waiting.

Okay - enough whining about waiting!

School starts Tuesday in Sutherlin!  We've met Griffin's third grade teacher and she seems like a good fit for Griffin.  Time will tell.  One interesting thing we noticed when visiting his new classroom, is that they use tables not desks.  Since keeping his desk clean last year was a struggle, it will be interesting to see how sharing a table with five other students works!

I can tell Faith is nervous-excited.  I think she just wants to get the first day over with so she can become familiar with her school, teachers and classmates.  I'm excited for her to attend a smaller school.