New Shoes...

I suppose the new SHOES are hypothetical. But it feels as if Jeff and I SHOULD be wearing new shoes with the new ROLES we’ve taken on this fall. Jeff has changed teaching positions within Rogers HS and is adjusting to a different room, curriculum, and group of students…AND, he’s taken on the role of Assistant Girls Soccer Coach. The job keeps him busy—practice and games everyday after school, not to mention going to school early to get his planning done—but he’s really enjoying his time coaching the girls who have turned out this year. Coaching has been one of the highlights of his day… “AWAY from home,” he adds. Sweet husband. He told me that I couldn’t put the team on the blog unless I wanted to get Internet permission from all of their parents. So, here’s some pictures of Jeff coaching, and the picture at the top is of SOME soccer feet that belong to some RANDOM soccer players that MAY have been playing on the Rogers soccer team…but I’m not sure. ☺













I am LOVING working part-time. On the days I work, I find myself thinking: “Hey, I really love this! I should work full-time!” And on the days I’m home I find myself thinking: “Hey, I really love this! I should stay home full-time!” I’ve taken this as assurance that I have the best working arrangement possible. ☺

Being at home for ½ the week has given me a chance to do things that I haven’t been able to do in the last seven years of working full-time… Believe it or not, the sun comes through the living room window at 10AM (it’s done this for the last few years and no one has been here to appreciate it!)…I get to see kids walk to and from school past our house…I’ve found that the aisles at Safeway aren’t as crowded in the middle of the day…Wahoo—I’ve gotten to dust the house and mop the floor (don’t get too excited—it hadn’t been done in over a YEAR and it may wait that long again—it’s EXTREMELY overrated)…I’ve even brought lunch to Jeff at work for fun…not to mention that alongside all of these adventures I get to have a sweet, smiling (and now giggling!) 4-month old sidekick!

One of my new favorite roles COULD deem me as Soccer Mom—I’ve loved making cookies for Jeff’s team on their game days…and taking pictures (with my “paparazzi” lens) at their events. The photography isn’t that far of a stretch for me, as I’ve played around with it over the past few years—but the cookie-making sounds kind of Betty-Crocker-ish, even as I write it—and I have NEVER claimed to love the kitchen (except to decorate it!). It’s kind of exciting for this old dog to learn new tricks—who knew making cookies each week for the girls could be so fun?!? They’re so appreciative and seem to look forward to them each game—some have been guessing what kind I’ll bring next—and I have found that you CAN’T beat the smell of cookies in the house! My friend Amy found the phrase, “Give what is yours to give,” and I have decided that I get to give little bits of chewy, caloric-rich goodness!


…Jeff wouldn’t mind these HYPOTHETICAL new shoes turning into ACTUAL new shoes…he may have to wait for Christmas. But I’ve already told him that just because I am having fun baking, doesn’t mean that he gets to start giving me kitchen-oriented gifts at Christmas! (My mom can get me new flour and sugar canisters…) ☺

Happy Birthday, Brooke!

Twelve? How did that happen?!? It seems like yesterday that we first met you...at the sweet age of four. Now you're all tall and stuff. I guess time flies when you're having fun, right?

I wish I were at school today so that my 5th graders--who are YOUNGER than you--could serenade you over the phone on your birthday...but alas, you'll have to settle for Aunt Ellie and Uncle Jeff's croaky voices...

"Happy Birthday, Brooke!" We love you and are so proud of the fine young lady you're becoming. Love--Le, Jeff and Gracie too!

PS-The Faith Hill song was added to our site in your honor. I remember singing this at HIGH decibels in the car with you when you were 9 or so...

Aunt Perri's Visit

I didn't take any pictures, but used this fun site, http://wordle.net, to list a few words highlighting Jeff's favorite aunt from the Westside...I couldn't figure out how to make it pop up in our blog, so you'll have to go to it...
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Thanks for the site, Amy! :)

Goodnight, G...orilla!

Jeff's new favorite book is Goodnight, Gorilla. This book was given to us from one of my school families--it was their favorite growing up, and it's quickly becoming one of Grace's faves! Jeff will have to update his Goodreads site...

Surprise Visit to the Farm

I was really missing my family and heard that on Friday my mom and G'ma Caroline were making applesauce--so, having Fridays off now, I decided to surprise them by showing up with Gracie to help! They were so excited to see us and we got spoiled by their attention. Dad even got in on the action when he heard that G was coming to help...






We had to leave before the job was completed--but G'ma told me later that they canned 70 quarts and many pints! It was such a fun day--like medicine for Grace and I! (Jeff had to work and was very jealous!)

I know, I know...

...I'm starting bad habits by letting Gracie snuggle in our bed in the mornings. But I just can't help it! I mean, LOOK at that cute little bug, all cozied in with her fuzzy ducky PJ's. I'm defenseless. I've decided to enjoy every little snuggle we get instead of feeling guilty about it--we'll start an intervention when Mom and Dad start getting chased out of bed by swinging elbows. First bloody nose she gives Dad, and she's outta there! :)

Thursdays and Fridays

This year I'm working part-time, so I am lucky enough to have these two fabulous days off each week. Grace and I did all sorts of fun stuff on our first two days off together--including adventuring with the stroller to the coffee drive-thru, which would've been a hilarious picture. Instead, here are a few pictures from our less-silly moments...




I wanted to show Grace's tile-framed mirror. Friends and family decorated the tiles for her and Colleen was sweet enough to finish the job by grouting the tiles into the frame for us. The goal next week is to get it hung over G's changing table...


I was trying to get her to "talk" on her phone, but it turns out she just wanted to lick the receiver.

September Means...School Starts!!!

It's been a crazy week for the Lochheads, as Jeff and I returned to the responsibilities of the working class. Jeff got out the door before I was ready with the camera, so he avoided his first day of school picture...

... but here is Gracie, all ready for her first day of daycare! She had a great day--with her big-girl bottles and binky in tote--and her mom only cried a little when she dropped her off. Miss Debra already had Grace's name on the door with the rest of the babies' nameplates, and above her crib in the nursery--they were ready for her! I have found that my new favorite part of the work day is picking her up at the end of the day!

Happy Birthday, Megan!!

Our sweet niece, Megan is lucky enough to have an August birthday. Each year she has fabulous summer parties--with water games, swimsuits, and popsicles. (Jeff and I envy all summer birthday-ers, as we both have winter birthdays, never celebrated in swimsuits). This year we celebrated in style with DORA THE EXPLORER. I wanted to show up in BOOTS, but Jeff thought that would be too cheesy. (Boots is Dora's monkey, folks). We had "Dora cups, and Dora plates, and Dora cake..."

Megan is so cute that she even pulls Papa Greg away from his combine for the afternoon--she's also lucky enough to have a birthday right in the middle of harvest! :) She is Papa's girl, through-and-through.

Aunt Ellie: "How old are you, Megan?" Megan: "I'm this many." My favorite is when she says that on the phone--and after she says this I ask her, "Are you turning three?" and then she says, "NO, I'm THIS MANY."

Gracie loves her cousins! Abby is so good at holding her...and changing her, and kissing her... In fact, when Gracie is fussing, Abby (age 4) says, "Give her to me, I know how to calm her down."

Ha! And the next minute...Daddy's furrowed brow shows itself. Darn genetics.

Happy Birthday, Miss Megan! We love you and are so proud of you!!!

Full Circle...

It was the summer of nineteen-nine-seven on a car ride with my good friend Brock up to Priest Lake that I allowed myself to be inundated with Dave Matthews Band. I have enjoyed their music ever since. Yet, this past weekend marks the first time I have experienced DAVE in person, and it just seemed fitting that it was with Brock. It was an evening of fine music spent with a great friend.