Anniversary

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

These words could have be said by Doug twenty years ago today.  He has been the foundation of our family.  We rely on him in so many ways.  I appreciate his dedication to our marriage and children.  I couldn't ask for a better husband these past twenty years.

When Doug and I married twenty years ago, I do not know if we knew what life was all about.  He was 22 and I was 24.  When I think back, we were so young!  I asked him on Saturday if it felt like twenty years.  He said, "Yes, but in a good way."  I knew what he meant.  Good marriages do not just happen.  It takes a lot of work and dedication.  In those twenty years we have had our share of trials and tribulations, but overall it has been a joyous ride.  The four Heinisch children have made our lives complete and I wouldn't change a thing.  

I want to thank him for always standing by us and for helping us through anything that life throws our way.  My mother tells me time and again that if she had to pick a son-in-law, it would have been Doug.  I don't know if there is a bigger compliment than hearing that from a mother-in-law.  But then again, Brett once told me that he knows that his Dad is really Superman.  I agree with both of them.  Here's to twenty years and so many more!!

Happy Birthday Cal!

Today we celebrated Cal's 15th birthday!  What an awesome young man he has become!  He came into this world fast and furious and has been on the go ever since.  He was the crankiest and most high maintenance of the Heinisch babies (his siblings would say he still is), but we love him just the same.  With his one of a kind personality he forever changed the dynamics of the Heinisch family.

Cal's dedication to sports is amazing.  He has had several health issues to overcome in his 15 years. I am impressed with his perseverance.  Ever the competitive Heinisch, he pushes his siblings to excel.  He has an awesome sense of humor and a dry wit that I appreciate!

 Cal is the most observant of the Heinisch four.  He is a deep thinker and extremely analytical.  He is more Musser/Parcell/Lakins than his siblings.  That makes him his own unique Heinisch and I wouldn't trade him for the world!

Mosquitos & Allergies

I love May.  Spring has sprung, the weather is wonderful, the flowers are starting to bloom, everything is green and the end of another successful school year is almost upon us.  May is also the month of Cal's birthday and our anniversary.

There is, however, two complaints I have this May.  The first is the amount of mosquitos biting the Heinisch children.  Meg stopped counting at 23.  She is proud of the amount of bug spray she is donning.  She has even talked of making it her new cologne.

My second complaint occurs every May.  That is allergy season.   Doug can't stop blowing his nose.  No matter what he takes, he can find no relief.  Cameron was the same way last week.  He never missed a dose of his medication and used his inhaler regularly.  It helped, but he let me know that all cottonwood trees should be chopped down!

June is just around the corner and I know everyone will find relief.  The ground will dry out, the mosquitos will leave, and the bug bites will lessen.  The cottonwood will be gone and the noses will stop blowing.  School will also be over and summer will be here before we know it!

Celebration

Tonight Doug and I went to Chops Wine Bar in Fort Wayne to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary two days early.  It was a beautiful night to go out and we enjoyed the quiet evening of a very busy day.  It has been a blessed twenty years and today was a celebration in many ways.

Cameron had an early morning soccer game - the first of the tournament.  His team has played very well this season and won easily 5-1.  Cam's best buddy scored a goal and their rival team lost today, so I know there will be much talk of it at school on Monday!  Meg's team lost a hard fought game in which they made an amazing comeback only to fall a goal short!

I spent the day at the Northern Lakes Conference golf tournament.  Cal worked very hard all season just to make it to the Varsity squad.  Don't know who was more nervous on that first tee, him or me, but Cal played very well .  He shot an 85 which was awesome for a freshmen!  The team fell short, but a great day nonetheless!

Brett was happy to earn some spending money staining the swing for us.  He also helped at BINGO, which he really enjoys.  So tonight was not only a celebration of our marriage, but of being a family!  Wouldn't trade it for the world!

Tattoos

Doug was expressing his thoughts on tattoos tonight.  Needless to say, he's not a big fan.  He's shared this opinion several times before.   Cal even chimed in with, "I know if I come home with one, I'm dead!"  Guess he's heard it as well!

I finally told Doug he was showing his age.  When I present my "What is Art?" PowerPoint all of the students agree that tattoos are art.  Doug said that he knows it is a different generation, but he still hates them.

I have to say that I do not care one way or another.  I wouldn't like it if they were covered head to toe with tattoos, but one wouldn't bother me at all.  I struggle more with piercings, especially gages.  Mostly, those bother me, because I am sure they would hurt!  In all honesty, though, I wouldn't get a tattoo either.  I am positive I would have a horrible allergic reaction or contract hepatitis if I did.

So, needless to say, neither Doug or I will be getting a tattoo soon.  Can't wait to see which Heinisch shows up with one first.  My money's on Meg!

Spring Arts Festival

I survived my first Spring Arts Festival as a FACS teacher.  Wow!  It was a lot of work.  Everything had to be labeled with names and grades.  Participant ribbons were put on each project.  A friend of mine helped judge the winners in seven different categories.  Then, everything had to be carried down to the cafeteria to be viewed.

I had some great help from several 7th and 8th grade students which cut the workload today in half.  The Encore staff and administrators were very supportive.  The parents and students that came through tonight seemed pleased.  Thus, I will say the first year for me was a success.

Homework

Tonight, Meg, spent over an hour working on her math homework.  This isn't the first time and, unfortunately, it won't be the last.  It isn't because she doesn't understand the material, but because they aren't given time to do it in class.  Tonight's assignment was 25 problems, many of which had multiple steps, and all had to have work shown.  She is taking Pre-Algebra and will take Honors Algebra as a 7th grader.  It is a high school class.  I am starting to rethink that decision.  She is more than smart enough to tackle this challenge, but I hate to think what the commitment outside of class will be.

I know she is not the only student who resents homework.  One of my writing lab students this year penned a persuasion paper about eliminating homework in all classes.  When he handed it to me to proof read, he anxiously awaited my response.  He was surprised when I told him that I agree.  As a teacher I try to limit the amount of work I give.  I don't enjoy bringing work home after school, so I assume they do not as well.  Maybe I'm too easy on the students, but I think home should be for doing fun activities with your family or friends.  I also realize that a lot of students do not have anyone at home to help them.  Homework just seems like more of a punishment than anything else.  

I know my opinion falls on deaf ears.  I have complained about this since Brett was in first grade, eleven years ago.  So, I will do my best to support Meg along the way and try to find a way to grin and bear it.