The Kassel Family Project Life 365

“It doesn’t matter if the glass is half empty or half full.  There is clearly more room for wine.”  -A funny statement that my beautiful sister-in-law, Jill, saw while we were visiting sunny South Carolina.

While enjoying this half empty glass of wine and a great snack while reading “Catching Fire” (the second book in “The Hunger Games” series) on our back deck, this thought occurred to me.  I’m half empty today.  It was another rough day at work.  I have only three weeks left at IML before I transfer to the Assessment Resource Center (ARC).  While I’m grateful to have a job, I have to be honest….I’m not excited.  NOT.  AT.  ALL.  I know IML failing is not my fault, but in the back of my head, “failure” is there.  My self-confidence is shaken to the core.  I question myself a lot.  I even found me telling myself today that I will fail at ARC too.   It’s a dumb thought I know, but it’s there.  I’ve had periods of depression in my life, but never quite like this.  I never thought I would be one of those people who “defines” myself by my work, but yet here I am questioning everything because of my work situation.  I have a great husband and two beautiful kids, so why is it so hard to define myself by them?  I love the three of them so much and they make me so happy, but they only cover part of my day.  The other part *IS* my work.  It’s hard.  So hard.  I’m hoping when my last three weeks is up that just maybe some of this feeling will go away.  ARC actually didn’t have to hire me, but wanted to hire me.  That’s a good thing, right?

We received a letter today from Columbia Public Schools Center for Gifted Education.  Laura apparently did well on the Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test (NNAT2).  She is among the students who qualify for further testing by the gifted program, or “EEE” – Extended Educational Experience.  Will we have her tested?  Yes.  Do I care if she’s gifted?  No.  It’s enough for us that she is happy and healthy.  Is it still cool?  Yes.

One of my least favorite things about returning from a trip is trying to get the laundry done.  Thanks to Jill that wasn’t such a problem this time.  I ran two loads of laundry the day before we left South Carolina.  That left very little to do when I got home.  This weekend’s laundry will also be small because it’s already Wednesday and I finished up all the laundry tonight.  🙂

Our hotel was only twenty minutes from the “Home of Superman” or Metropolis, IL.  So, we took a quick side trip to see the Giant Superman Statue.  We all had fun seeing all the Superman references and we promised the kids that we will get the movies for them to watch.  At the gift shop, Laura even picked out a Superman cape.

After the quick stop over in Metropolis, it was back to the truck for the rest of the journey home.  It was an uneventual trip and we arrived home right about 4 pm.  We had a fantastic time on our vacation, but it was good to see Home Sweet Home.

We began the first leg of our journey home today.  We stopped through Sugar Hill, GA, to see Bart and Lanette and then headed on to Paducah, KY, to spend the night.  It was a largely uneventful day.  We all had a great time seeing Bart and Lanette, along with Bart’s Mom.  It may have been a short visit, but it was still a good one.

The kids were just really tired and slept a lot on the trip to both Sugar Hill and Paducah.  Apparently, this is what you get when you spend three days with the BlumeNation.

We arrived in Paducah around dinner time and checked into our hotel.  We ate dinner at our hotel and then swam for a while.  Andy and I relaxed in our hotel room after the kids went to bed.  It was exactly what we needed after riding in the truck for 8+ hours.

After a leisurely morning, we spent the day with BlumeNation at the pool. The kids repeatedly asked all morning if we could go to the pool.  We were all about it, so off we went!  What a fun time just watching all the kids playing in the water.  The afternoon was full of laughs, smiles, and relaxed times.  It was a perfect way to spend the day.

The girls in the back of Jim’s SUV waiting on us to get packed up!

John spent the entire afternoon jumping, jumping, and jumping….  That is until he pooped out about 4:30 and had to be taken home for a nap.

Those swimming lessons for Laura have really paid off!  She’s swimming well and no longer afraid of the water!  Go Laura!

Jim got “attacked” by William and two of his friends….  I think it backfired on the boys as Jim drove them all right under the water for a good, old dunking.

Oh, and this isn’t a picture of Jill and I at the pool?  That’s right…..this is how we spent the evening.  Relaxation, eating some amazing Filet, and drinking some of the best martinis (Firefly Lemonade Martinis with Lemon Sorbet and Fresh Mint Sprigs) I’ve ever had!  A great ending to a great day!