Clan Strong

2010-04-26T15:52:00.002-07:00

Here are a few pics from myka's birthday! More on the picasa site! :)
love to all!

finally a 2010 post! ;-)

2010-03-14T20:40:00.004-07:00

Ok, so I swear that I have posted since the beginning of the year, I mean come on it is March already! But apparently that was my other phantom self and it didn't take ;-)

Here we are at the end of Spring Break, (which honestly I am still in denial about) and the Pixie is going to be 2 in less than 2 months (again, MAJOR denial)

She is talking up a storm! My favorite is when she very purposefully spits her binky out and then looks at me and says "My binkie, where did it go?"
She absolutely loves to read and will very often bring a book to Mike or I and say "read book please", she also loves any sort of puzzle or something she can take apart or put together!

School is going well. I can hardly believe we only have 10 weeks left until summer!! I only have two classes left to complete my master's degree -- graduation is May 8th! :-)

Other than that, just enjoying the warming weather (it is supposed to hit 80 for the first time this week!) It has been rather wet and rainy lately, so the sunny weather is nice!

hopefully i will post more frequently now!! ;-)

Cold (for Phoenix anyway)

2009-12-10T09:16:00.002-07:00

Ok, so it finally feels a bit like winter -- well winter for phoenix anyway.
There was a huge storm (the one that snowed in the majority of my family in Iowa yesterday) that hit here on Monday -- it was rainy and cloudy and absolutely lovely!! Monday night or more technically Tuesday morning however it seemed like a hurricane had landed right above our house. I woke up to the windows shuddering at about 2AM and looked outside to see sheets and sheets of rain blowing down the street, I was seriously thinking that our windows may not make it through this storm as they are the original windows circa 1965. The pixie woke up as well and slept snuggled up next to me or Mike for the rest of the night. It really amazes me how a 19 month old baby can take up the majority of a California King size bed! :-)

Getting to work on Tuesday morning was an adventure with downed trees and non-functioning street lights (the one on 19th ave and Indian school was the most interesting!) Luckily the school's power was functioning! However, they have yet to turn on the heat in our building so when I walked in today it was right around 50 in my room (yes I measured) and now even with the kiddos I think it is a balmy 55 or so. Now, I'm not asking for it to be 90 or anything, but i would like to be able to teach without gloves and my coat on!

Attempting to type with gloves on,
Erin

Thanksgiving

2009-12-01T17:28:00.004-07:00

Had a wonderful trip up to St George! Got to see a lot of family, and will see the rest of the Strong Clan next weekend :)
The drive was kind of crappy, because of the damn, maybe next time we will go through Laughlin. . . .
Stayed home today with Pixie today, she tossed and turned all night last night which made for an exhausted mom, dad and pixie. . . So, I decided that she and I would stay home today. Hopefully she will be better tomorrow!

The last part of this week I get to go to the NSTA (national science teachers association) conference that is here in PHoenix -- I am really excited about what I am going to learn and get -- yay freebies!!!!
Got out some of the Christmas stuff today and Pixie was all excited after she got up from her nap -- can't wait for the tree and everything to be up! It is going to be so much fun this year!!!
Well, better go, class is starting!
Love to all,
Erin, Mike & Myka

Halloween

2009-10-26T18:43:00.004-07:00

Early pics of the Halloween costume!

We spent most of the afternoon Saturday looking and figured we should get some pics of it when we tried it on (just incase the Pixie decides that she doesn't like it on Halloween)

Had a great time in Iowa for fall break -- next time Michael needs to come with us! :-)

It was lovely to see everyone and the weather, while cool was a nice change. Here are the pics posted on Facebook.

Life is pretty much the same here -- just work and school and work and school. Myka is talking up a storm! I swear she says a new word or two everyday. Coloring and blocks are some of her favorite things! I can hardly believe she is already a year and a half. . . and can't wait for the holidays (they are going to be so much fun!)

utah trip

2009-07-12T18:07:00.003-07:00

So we had a great time traveling up to Utah over the 4th!
It was great to see everybody -- next time the Colorado Strong's will have to make it over and then it would have been complete!!!!
Mykaela really enjoyed seeing everyone, but by the end of the trip was on overload. She was a real trooper though!
Attempting the whole Smilebox thing to post pics -- we shall see how it works.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

pics are also posted on facebook. It was great to see everyone, but it is nice to be home too. A couple of days after the trip, Myka layed in the middle of the living room floor "spread eagle" and didn't move for about 5 minutes! The look on her face said "thank you I am home!!!"
Hope all is well with everyone, school starts again in about a week and a half -- where oh where did the summer go?
XOXOXO,
erin, mike & myka

Independent Baby!

2009-06-29T13:58:00.002-07:00

So I know this will come as a big shock, but Mykaela is becoming a super independent little girl. She loves to feed herself and usually won't let you feed her anything, even if she is starving.

Not an issue really, but sometimes (especially with applesauce and mac & cheese) she gets just a little messy. Had to take a pic of it today as she had both :) Then one of her after we washed off in the tub!!

Can't wait to see all the Utah folks this next week - looking for tickets to Colorado to visit the ABCD strong's!!

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Renee!! Hope you have a great day :)

XOXOXOXO,

Erin, Mike & Myka

Utah over the 4th!

2009-06-11T08:03:00.002-07:00

So, Mike found out that he does have the time off, so we will be trecking up north over the fourth! :)
I believe he took the 1st through the 7th off, so we should be up there the 1st or 2nd and staying I would guess until the 7th!
can't wait to see everyone!!!!!!
XOXOXO,
Erin

p.s. today was the first day of summer school that Myka didn't burst into tears when I took her to daycare (hoorray!!)

Summer

2009-06-07T08:42:00.010-07:00

So, we made it through the end of the school year!! With the help of my wonderful sister and a few students, I got all of my stuff (and there was a lot) moved into my new room, and because we had a week between the end of spring and start of summer school I was able to clean the new room (and boy it needed it) and get mainly unpacked before the start of summer.
Summer school was a bit of a fiasco at the beginning and while I do have 36 students in biology, it is going ok -- luckily they are a good group of kiddos.

Mike is just working all the time -- this 2 job thing is a bit crazy really!

Myka is doing great (is up to 14 teeth with the last 2 canines working their way in) -- although she is now crying when I take her to daycare :(
She is in the 1-year old room now, and Betty (the teacher in the infant room, who is moving up to the ones) is not there in the summer, so when we went in last week, Myka looked at me like I was crazy for even thinking of leaving her there. New room, new teacher, too much change! At least the kiddos are still the same! She is walking around and playing all the time and doing something new every day -- and at least we are only in summer school Mon-Thurs. So we have had a great three-day weekend! I am adding a few videos of her playing yesterday - she decided that her doll house was a climbing object or a seat for her piano depending :)
Enjoy and love to all!
Erin, Mike and Myka

p.s. hopefully going up to Utah for the 4th, Mike is checking on Monday to see if he definately has the time off! OH, and more pics on the picasa site! :)

Birthday bash

2009-05-04T14:14:00.003-07:00

We had a great time with my parents and grandparents here for the weekend!

It was a whirlwind trip, but it was great to see them and fun times were had by all!!

Myka loved her supersized cupcake (well at least the frosting part)

Will post the video of the entire thing soon! Just had to share this pic now :)
She had a great time swimming, once she realized it was just a really big bathtub -- the little flower ring with the shade helped since she is like her daddy and really doesn't like bright lights!
She loved being the center of attention (really who doesn't??) and is getting the hang of opening presents (again, more pics and video to follow)

talking and walking!!

2009-04-15T18:42:00.004-07:00

ok, so it is official we now have a walking baby -- if only we could get her to wear shoes! She seriously screams bloody murder everytime we try to put them on her feet! Suggestions??????
check out the video of the (barefoot) walking baby!

love to all!
erin, mike & myka

talking

2009-03-14T09:53:00.003-07:00

ok, and here is a video of her talking in her high chair -- her new word is beebee, and i think it is for binkie :)

she's walking!!

2009-03-14T09:33:00.004-07:00

ok, so here is a video of Myka taking a few steps -- she has done this numerous times, and hopefully soon she will just take off. The problem? she gets so very excited to be taking steps that she looses her balance :) all in good time!

oh and a couple of cute photos -- and as always more on the picasa site :)

smiling for the camera :)

at faire watching medieval babes!

beanie babies everywhere!!!

I have greatly enjoyed Spring Break, although i didn't get half of what i wanted to get done actually done, but Myka and i had a great time!

XOXOXOXO,

erin, mike and myka

new videos and pics finally uploaded

2009-03-01T17:58:00.003-07:00

Hello all!
Just wanted to post a quick note that we finally got around to posting a few new pics and quite a few new videos to the picasa site
had to post my fav pic here though -- her hair is now long enough that in the tub at least we can make it a mohawk (hehehe)

Click here for a direct link to the videos :) (i tried to post them here, but it kept timing out taking so long . . . .)
We are all well, we all had a yucky cold over the past few weeks, but i think we are all on the healthy side of it now! Hopefully it will stay that way so that we can have a great spring break!
love to all,
erin, mike and myka

February has already been one whopper of a month!

2009-02-13T13:38:00.005-07:00

Not sure where January went, and I have been meaning to update for a while, but this past week or so has been pretty amazing (and not really in a good way unfortunately)
so, I will just jump in -- last Wednesday we went to the doc for an ultrasound -- yes we were pregnant again, we found out at that appt that the pregnancy was not viable and scheduled a D&C for Thursday. (Surprisingly, I was ok with it, since there had been issues from the start and I hadn't really let myself get excited. Ok that is apart from the catholic guilt for being ok with it).

Wed night, Mike went for a ride on his motorcycle because it was such a beautiful night and just to clear his head for the next day. A car turned left in front of him and he broadsided the car basically. He is ok -- he says it just proves he really does have a rock for a skull! We spent the majority of the night in the ER -- CT scans, x-rays the works. Fun times were had by all.
then back to the hosp on Thurs for my procedure. All went fine there.

Friday was pretty uneventful until that night when I got a call from my step-dad because Andrea had an allergic reaction to her antibiotics and was now in the ER. I went to make sure all was ok -- they were keeping her overnight for observation, but had gotten the reaction under control which is all that matters really.

Then last night Mike's tooth really started bothering him. more pain than the entire accident ordeal, so we had to find a dentist open at 8PM and off we went to get some teeth pulled.
So, I would say that we have filled our quota for emergencies, but I am not saying that because I am just that superstitious about these things!!

Myka news -- she is wonderful -- and completely mobile. crawling all over the place and pulling herself up on anything and everything she can! she will be walking soon i just know it. She absolutely LOVES being here at the daycare center -- she gets so excited when we get here in the morning it is just too cute!!! We go in for her 9 month appt next Wednesday. I can hardly believe that she is 9 months old already!!! Her newest expression is scrunching up her nose -- of course every time I try to get a picture she stops -- typical baby!! she now has all 8 front teeth and is enjoying finger foods whenever she can! OH, and she is now blowing kisses and waving when she leaves the room -- too cute!!!

There is new video and pics on the camera, and I will do my best to get them posted soon!
Love to all!
erin, mike and myka

And then there were 5

2008-12-30T09:56:00.006-07:00

So, Myka now has 5 teeth!! She was a bit crabby a few days ago, and we thought -- more teeth really? She just got 2! Then the next morning, there were 2 more, bringing the grand total to 5! I am hoping she is done for now, teething is no fun, especially when you get multiple teeth at a time!!
Christmas was great! She really liked the wrapping, and played with the paper just as much as the toys!! We went over to my mom's for Christmas and spent the day eating yummy food and watching movies :)
I finally got to see Twilight with Nat -- it is a great movie! Not as good as the book of course, but a very good rendition i think -- i can't wait to see the sequel!
I can hardly believe it is already the second week of break. I have really enjoyed spending time with Myka during the week, one of the perks of being a teacher!
Happy New Year!!!
p.s. Christmas day pics are posted on the picasa site!

Christmas Eve

Christmas day at home

Christmas day at grandma's

Santa pics :)

2008-12-23T17:58:00.002-07:00

Ok, so here is the best pic of Myka with Santa today -- it was great fun!! (there are a few more on the Picasa site)

Also, she has 2 more teeth, one more on the bottom and one on the top (three total now!)
If you want an actual copy of the Santa pic, let me know what size and we will get it printed out and sent!

Merry Christmas!!!

erin

the cutest baby EVER -- again :)

2008-12-21T21:31:00.003-07:00

Ok, so I think we quite possibly have the cutest baby ever!! (see below)

When I first took the picture, i was sad that her eyes were closed, but the more I look at the pic, the better i think it really is!!

We attempted to go see Santa today, but the line was WAY too long, so we are going to go tomorrow and wait in the line (hoping it will be less crazy tomorrow -- wish us luck!) Will send out or post pics with Santa soon! (just updated the picasa site with more pics too!)

General News

2008-12-10T11:10:00.002-07:00

So, the new house is great!!! We are not completely unpacked yet, but on our way there. Myka is in her own room and has been since right after Thanksgiving -- she is such a big girl now :) She is up on all fours regularly and rocking back and forth, she will be crawling soon.

And in other big news -- she has a spot at the daycare at Metro Tech!!! She will start on Monday. While I am sad to leave the center she is at, they really are wonderful, it will be so very very nice to have her just downstairs from me (my room this year is in the same building as the daycare)! And, I know a good majority of the students who are in the daycare program, so that is good too :)

They are closed when we are not in school, but they are open in June if I happen to get or want a summer school job :)
The only hitch is that while she is in the infant I have to race down there to pick her up as they want all infants picked up by 3:45 and I am not done teaching until 3:25, I will just have to use my time more wisely while I am here!

I can't believe it is almost Christmas already, don't have any shopping done, and the tree isn't up yet, but it will be this weekend (hopefully anyway!) And someday I will find the time to see the Twilight movie!!!! I can't believe I haven't seen it yet -- maybe over break!

Happy Holidays all -- hope everyone is well :) love to all!! Erin, mike and myka

85th percentile baby!!

2008-11-20T08:11:00.002-07:00

So, Mykaela now is 18 lbs 14oz and 27.5 in long -- that is the 85% all around -- not bad for a baby who started in the single digits the day after we took her home!!! She got 5 shots yesterday, but today you can't even tell where they were administered. The nurse was amazing, i thought she had only done 1 shot in her leg, when she had actually already given her all 4 (she also got the flu vaccine in her arm). So, she went home covered in band-aids!

We are moving up to stage 2 foods, and she is going to be crawling before we know it! She consistently gets 1 leg under her, and occasionally gets both and she has started the bouncing baby thing that most do before the start actually crawling -- i am sure she will be cruising all around at Christmas, just in time for the tree :)

Now we just have to pack up and move this weekend and get all settled before or probably during thanksgiving break!! I can't believe the holidays are already almost here!! Time flies when you're having fun :)

Moving again

2008-11-18T13:58:00.004-07:00

So, I didn't want to post anything until we knew where we were going, but we are moving :)

The people we are renting from are losing their house, and so we have to find somewhere to go. Long, crappy story that i don't even want to go into!

And it is soon -- we are moving this weekend. We thought we had a house, but they decided to keep it in the family, so this past weekend we were scrambling to find a new place, and actually i think the new place is better than the old one. AND, it is a lease purchase, so that is good too!!!

It is a 3 bed/2 bath with a 2 car carport -- so we are loosing the garage, but it is OK, there is a workroom in the backyard, and if we wanted to enclose the carport at some point it would be really easy to do so . . . . .

The best part (i think) is that we can do whatever we want to the walls and such in the house -- so no more white walls for us!!!!! it may be around Christmas break when we actually have time to paint and such, but at least we can :)

So, i will e-mail people with new contact info -- if i haven't sent you a message by next week, let me know and i will get you the info!! :)

love to all!

Erin

p.s. Myka goes in for her well-baby visit today, will post info about her checkup soon :)

first non-well baby appt

2008-11-13T10:19:00.002-07:00

So, we took Myka to her first "sick" doctors appointment on Saturday. She had a pretty wicked cold with a bad cough and so we figured getting her checked out was best. Her lungs and ears were clear, and no real fever to speak of so they didn't give her any antibiotics, but it was good to check just the same. AND, she now tips the scales at 18 pounds :)
my growing baby girl!!!

she goes in for shots and a well-baby visit next Wednesday.

Oh, and remember how I was switching to Biology -- well, I have now switched back to Physical Science. Long story short, the other teacher came back and I was given my old classroom back and she got the new clean one. Am I happy about it?? Not really, but not a lot can be done at this point, so why stress (at least that is what I keep telling myself!)

Well, bell just rang -- back to teaching :)
love to all!!

Halloween

2008-11-01T16:23:00.003-07:00

Our Halloween was pretty uneventful. Myka's bedtime is about 7:30 -- 8:00 and she is a routine baby, and gets really crabby if we keep her up . . . . and my mom's household had the stomach flu, so we stayed away from there!!

So, we put her in her costume took pictures and went to bed!

Next year will be more exciting I am sure -- we posted pics on picasaweb (also check out the video's album -- i finally got that before bath video posted) :)

here is my favorite although you really can't tell that she is a bat, but the look is priceless!!!

new teaching assignment

2008-11-01T15:55:00.002-07:00

Ok, so a week ago friday at about 3, my dept chair came and asked if I wanted to switch classrooms and classes.

Brief backstory -- one of our teachers is having issues getting her visa renewed (she is from India) and hasn't been at school since the first week. The students have had different subs since then.

I have a student teacher, so he would still teach my physical science classes, and once he is done with his student teaching requirements he will take over those classes.

So, last weekend on Saturday my mom and sister Andrea went with Myka and I to the classroom to clean (oh did it need it!!) and get things ready. The week flew by, and it really has been great! I am enjoying Biology and Sophomores, and according to their reflection on the week, they are enjoying the class now too :)

So, that is the update on me -- we shall see what week 2 of bio brings us!
hope all is well with everyone :)

love,
erin

Strong Look-alike Meter

2008-10-21T10:37:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

frustrations & happiness

2008-10-21T09:17:00.004-07:00

OK, so I have come to the time of the year for frustrations. I am not sure how this always happens, but it always seems to come around.
I just don't know how my students have gotten as far as they have with this horrible lack of skills. It is just such a tremendous disservice to them. I am honestly worried about how they are going to become productive members of society. It is not just the students in AZ either, while on the whole the students in CO were a bit higher in their knowledge levels, I was also dealing with mainly sophomores there, and here I have all freshmen.
so the question becomes -- what to do??
My decision has been to move on and hope that they will get the basic knowledge as we keep going through other labs. (But then there is always that little voice inside my head that says they really won't get the concepts if they don't have basic math and measurement skills).
it truly is a dilemma -- do we hold those students back to get the concepts, but with little to no parent support, are they really going to be able progress? What happens when we have a middle school full of 18 year olds??? UGH! I just have to remember that I am helping some and can't possibly help all (although i feel like i am dying trying!). I think that a lot of this frustration is from the subject matter as well -- physical science isn't nearly as interesting as Biology (i know some would argue, but that is my opinion). So, because that is my opinion I don't have the enthusiasm that I should.

On the happy side, Myka is the most amazing baby ever!! she giggles and laughs and is going to be crawling before we know it!! Time to baby proof the house :) I have a video that we took last night (with our little camera) and will try to post it tonight. she is giggling and playing with Mike before bath time. It is the cutest thing ever!! She is in her "Halloween prison" outfit today (will post pics of that today too hopefully) it is orange and white striped - too cute!!!

Now if I could only figure out how to not be frustrated with school -- life would be great! Just take a deep breath and keep moving forward right???

Love to all!
Erin

yummy, yummy food!!!

2008-09-23T20:25:00.004-07:00

So, we are working on solid foods, and at first Myka was not sure she liked it -- but today, she took the spoon right from me and here are some way too cute pics of her with it :)

No longer a preemie!

2008-09-22T13:29:00.005-07:00

So, we took Mykaela to her 4 month appt (at almost 5 months, but who is counting) on Thursday, and she weighed in at a whopping 15 lbs 13 oz and is now 24.5 inches long!!! that is the 75th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for height, i would say she is definitely no longer a preemie!!!
she is almost out of her car seat length-wise anyway.
I am doing better at adding pics regularly to the picasa web site and here is a pic from yesterday in her ISU outfit :)

I found the sepia option on our camera :)
We are heading up to Utah this weekend to visit the family. Mike's grandparents (and a few others in the family)haven't seen her yet, and we finally found the time to get up there! It will be a quick trip, but we are looking forward to it!

Myka has found her voice

2008-09-06T21:00:00.003-07:00

And she really loves to hear herself talk :)
Some days (like the one in the video) are louder than others!
All is well, Mike got a job at Buddy Stubs in Phoenix, starts on Monday, we are excited that he got a job in the motorcycle field!
I am plugging away teaching -- Myka is in daycare, and we are just waiting and hoping that a spot will open up at the daycare at Metro tech soon!!
Love,
Erin, Mike and Myka
p.s. check the picasa web site often, trying to be better at uploading pics!!

Update

2008-08-24T21:43:00.002-07:00

so it has been awhile sooooo... Erin is teaching back at Metro Tech Myka is going to daycare Erin is going through guilt of leaving Mykaela and putting her there (i think it is cute Erin is such a good mom)
Me I am still looking for a real job, I am working at the nightclub but am not liking it. I have apps in at all the shops and some at places I really don't want to work at but we are starting to run short on funds so I can't be picky and will take the first offer I get regretting that I choose to go to MMI and not to a real collage I feel more at home in AZ but feel like a idiot for leaving Colorado and freedom without more experience .
We are trying to get to Utah asap but with looking for a job and not knowing what is going on from day to day is frustrating me more and more. hopefully by the end of Sept.

picasa albums

2008-07-12T17:12:00.002-07:00

ok, so I finally put all of our pics on-line on a picasa website.
It is picasaweb.google.com/mmestrong
it is way easier to upload them there than on a blog post :)
now hopefully we can keep both updated!!
erin

back in phoenix

2008-07-12T16:29:00.003-07:00

So, we are somewhat settled into the new house. It is nice to be home. We got a wonderful monsoon storm a few days ago. Myka is starting to really smile and react and talk to us. She is always making some sort of noise even when she is sleeping (mike says she is definately my daughter) Here are a few new pics :)

hope all is well!!

EMM

couldn't fit them all into one

2008-06-17T19:13:00.005-07:00

so here are some more pics -- couldn't fit them all into one post :)

time to take pics

2008-06-17T19:05:00.004-07:00

so i realized that we hadn't taken a whole lot of pics over the past couple of weeks. Been a little busy with packing (thanks dena for getting me started) and just taking care of the wonderful baby. so here are some pics from today -- as new as you can get :) notice the double chin -- she is definately growing!!!!

newest pics

2008-06-02T17:19:00.002-07:00

well, so myka and i surprised my mom and showed up for Nat's graduation. it was great! We were only there a short time, so we didn't have time to see anyone other than family, but we will be back for good in a month, so we will be able to make the rounds then. here are some pics from the trip and then back home :)

more pics

2008-05-01T12:16:00.002-07:00

went to myka's first docs appt today. she is perfect and gaining weight! here are some more pics :)

erin

here is our myka

2008-04-27T19:57:00.002-07:00

here are pics of Mykaela Astrid Strong

hospital part 2

2008-04-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

ok, so after less than 48 hours, we are back in the hospital. went in for the normal weekly visit this morning and the doc said, you are going to the hospital. My protein levels jumped from a trace amount to 3.5 g (high is considered 300 mg). So, long story short we are here til we deliver, which should be sometime early Saturday
exciting stuff!! can't hardly wait

hospital visit

2008-04-24T09:10:00.001-07:00

So we got to go to the hospital yesterday afternoon. Don't worry it is a false alarm.

Basically because I am on bedrest and at risk for developing pre-eclampsia, headaches are pretty serious. Yesterday i got a headache that was bad enough that my vision blurred to the point that I really couldn't see. Not fun, really don't want to do that again. Called the doc and she said get to the hospital as soon as you can. Again, probably not a good sign. So, off to the hospital we went, and got on the monitors and all that. They took blood to check enzyme levels to see if I have developed pre-eclampsia, and everything came back normal.

Mykaela was fine, they monitored her for the entire time we were there. My blood pressure is still a bit high even if I am laying down now. So, I have my scheduled appt on Friday and we will see where it goes from there.

At my last appt, my ob basically said if everything stays status-quo, then we will induce on 5/12 -- 5/13. Again, with the hospital visit yesterday, we will see what my appt entails tomorrow :)

myka 3-D ultrasound video

2008-04-17T15:43:00.009-07:00

here is the link to the video of the 3-D ultrasound. Thanks chad for your help!!!!!

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=32565615

3-D pics

2008-04-09T12:32:00.003-07:00

Here are some of the 3-D ultrasound pics :)

Erin's Baby Shower

2008-03-16T08:44:00.003-07:00

Here are some pics of ERIN'S SHOWER

so we have made a decision

2008-02-26T20:29:00.003-07:00

Hi to all I know it has been a while but we have decided on a name it is going to be

Mykaela(Myka)Astrid Strong Erin has been to the doctor a few time all is normal, and big according to the ultra sounds I am getting very excited about becoming a dad.

What else can I tell you, I hate Colorado as soon as I can talk Erin in to moving back to Arizona we will be moving back I just hope I can find a job at a Harley Davidson shop there but there's always the club I can work at if need be the hours suck but it would be a job. well i just rant when I do this so til next time

we're having a . . . . . .

2008-01-07T16:16:00.001-07:00

little girl! the ultrasound went well, everything is perfect. Now onto names . . . . . any suggestions?
ours so far(in no particular order)

Rowan Elizabeth
Aurora Lynne
Mykaela Rae
Astri (or Astrie) Mykaela
Piper Mykaela
Mackenzie Rae

Let me know what you think!! Erin

Long overdue update

2007-12-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

OK, so i have been extraordinarily lax about updating the blog. Life got in the way!

So here is the last year in a nutshell

Mike graduated and got a job in Colorado

So, we moved to Castle Rock CO, he is working for Freedom Harley Davidson and I am at a High school here

We are having a baby!! (and everything is perfect so far)

got a new puppy -- Thora (pics to follow)

My masters will be done in May

Isn't she just adorable! Odin is getting used to her, and we think it will be great for him to have someone to play with once the baby comes. Counting down the days -- it will be an interesting end of the semester as the last day of school is May 23rd and I am due May 24th! :)

That is about it for now. New Year's resolution is to actually update the blog more often!

New york and blatent fundraising :)

2006-11-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

OK, so i may be crazy, but I have decided to take 20-30 of this year's Metro Tech seniors to New York City for their senior trip. Most of these kids haven't been east of Texas, if they have even been out of the state.
And now for the blatant fundraising :)
We raised a lot of money with prom, and the kids are doing a pampered chef fundraiser, if you like their products, go to this site and order :) go to order products and type in metro tech for the organization name ($10 extra to have it delivered directly to your house!)
Seriously, you don't have to order, but if you are as addicted to their products as I am, and you haven't ordered anything lately, a look can't hurt right? I know I am devious ;)
So, other than planning and getting this trip approved, I haven't been doing much else. Mike is still busy with school, really looking forward to being done! My master's program is changing, and of course the changes are retro active, so I can't get in on the old program, so I will be done next spring (that is spring of 2008). It is OK, it will be here before we know it!
That is about it!
Love to all!
Erin and Mike

Holiday Visits

2006-10-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

Ok,

So Mike and I were talking and we have tentatively decided to come up for Christmas and New Year's. We think it will be easier to make the trip once and just stay for the week between Christmas and New Year's then to try to make the trip up twice. And that way we are around for the majority of the holiday festivities :)

AND, we both have that time off of work/school so it will be easier and less stressful on that front! :)

And just an FYI, the hotel that is just down the street from the house is a Best Western, it is on 16th St and Northern. Has a great continental breakfast, can get a room with a fridge, I think the pool is heated, and it has a hot tub :)

Love to all!
Erin and Mike

Save the Date

2006-10-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

February 23, 2007
That is the date for Mike's graduation :)

Not sure what time the festivities will be taking place, but probably mid-day. I know it is a Friday, but it would be great if everybody could be here!

So, I was on fall break this past week. It was great! I really enjoy having a week off in the fall. It makes things flow really well at school, and everyone will hopefully be well rested when we return!

It has finally cooled down here! (well relatively anyway) We have the doors open and it is beautiful (about 75 or so right now at 3pm).

Hope everyone is doing well -- better go -- talk to you all soon!
Love,
Erin and Mike

Tentative Grad dates

2006-09-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

Just for Roger :)
just kidding, thought I had put this in somewhere . . . . . Maybe in my head??

Ok, so Mike's graduation date is Feb 3rd (ish) (he is out riding . . . . . . . ) So, lets say beginning of Feb to be safe :)
IF he decides to stay and complete either BMW or Honda, he would graduate about 12 weeks later, which would put him somewhere in April . . . . .
the decision to stay and take more courses will probably be directly related to what type of job offers he gets (and whether they are willing to wait for him) It seems a Strong tradition that the husbands move to the new place before the wives, so we shall see if we continue that tradition :)

My graduation will not be until Fall of 06 or Spring of 07 as I decided to keep my sanity and only take 6 graduate hours (2 classes) instead of 9 hours (3 classes) -- well, they canceled one, but I am really glad they did! So, depending on which catalog they allow me to graduate under will determine whether it is fall or spring. Anyway, I just plan on having a big party and not worrying about the whole pomp and circumstance of a graduation (as a teacher, I HAVE to sit through a graduation every year, I would just rather have a party!! and if it is a fall grad, maybe we could roll it into a New Year's celebration!!)

ok, so that is it on the graduation front. I know that February is fast approaching, so as soon as I have a definite date for the graduation, I will post so that everyone else knows too :)
Love to all!
Erin

ps all are welcome to come down for the graduation -- I know it may be difficult or a quick trip, but it would be fun -- phoenix is beautiful in February :)

Fun Halloween stuff

2006-09-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

So while we were out and about this weekend, we found the perfect pumpkin decorating kits :)
(At Target of course)
Here are the pictures -- hopefully our pumpkins will look as good as the pictures.

The weather is finally cooling down in the morning here -- don't even want to know how cool it is in other places -- we will just be jealous!

Hope all is well with everyone!
Love to all!! :)
Erin and Mike

An interesting August

2006-09-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

The title really says it all.
But, a short recap --
I went back to school on Aug 1st. 4 days before that I found out that I would be teaching different subjects in a different room. Biology is still the same only more of it (4 periods) and 1 period of Anatomy and Physiology. Very exciting!! And I now have my own room, also very exciting. However, when I got here on Tuesday August 1st, I found my room in shambles. It had not been cleaned by the previous occupand, and so I spend the better part of 30 hours that week cleaning my room and getting ready for the start of school.
My mom also switched from elementary school to high school and the next week, outsite of teaching, i spend time helping her get ready for her first day.
then, the bombshell -- the next week, on August 19th, my Gramp,
(my role-model, my rock) passed away. He ws 101, so it was not totally unexpected, but not easy to deal with. He, my aunt ruthie and my cousin deanne, (who I was with more than not on the farm from 2 weeks old til kindergarten) helped to make me the person I am today. while that may not always be a good thing (hahaha) -- it could be a lot worse!
So . . . . I went back to Iowa for the week, for the funeral and to visit and such. He was an amazing man and will be greatly missed!
Then, I came back and am still trying to get back into the swing of things. My masters classes started last week and there is always catch-up when you are gone, but it is good.
Mike is doing well in his classes. He graduates in February from Harley, but is now trying to decide if he wants to add on Honda or maybe BMW. . . we will see how it goes. A lot depends on whether or not he is recruited by Harley to work at one of their plants.
So, that was August. I think I am glad it is Sept and hopefully it will be a bit quiter around here :)
Love to all!
Erin

too damn hot!

2006-07-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

ok -- so i know we choose to move back to phx and all -- but it is really, really warm!! Brain function starts to dwindle in this heat I am sure!
Other than the melting -- things are good here, finished teaching summer school, and now just working on my own summer school classes. I am taking 3 this summer, 3 this fall and then 2 in the spring and I will have my masters :) Just about the same time Mike is done with school -- timing should work out great.
Speaking of Mike's school -- he is doing well -- was pulled to the side by his instructor last week and told he was one of the two best in class. Pretty cool!
Right now he is in the intro to Harley's block for another couple of weeks, then to electrical or suspension -- not sure which one he is assigned to yet.
We got a call from Nissa a week or so ago asking about the serial killers on the loose in PHX, if you hear about it on national news, they are not in our area, at least not yet. The police are appealing to the community for information, because they are at a loss. It is a bit scary, but what can you do?
Nat's ACL is healing nicely, and my back is feeling better every day -- hopefully by the time I have to go back to school (aug 1st) it will be all better. . . . . . .
Andrea is starting high school in Aug -- I can hardly believe it! It really makes me feel old!
Both Nat and Andrea would heartily agree :)
well -- i guess that is it for us. trying to update more often . . . .
love to all!
Erin

not dead, just busy

2006-06-30T22:33:00.000-07:00

ok -- so again we are not dead or abducted my aliens or anything like that, just busy!!
short version
in may -- erin threw out her back at prom (protruding disk)
mike laid down his bike (in a parking lot, not much damage)
end of school year for erin
june -- surprise visit from erin's grandparents,
mike's friend got into a serious motorcycle accident (lifelighted to hospital, but she is ok)
mike finished required classes and moved onto harley's
erin started teaching summer school and taking summer school classes
celebrated 10 year wedding anniversary (happy late anniversary to Roger & Pam and Bryan & Dena)
end of june -- summer school teaching is over
mike switched back to the club for his part time job -- needed extra time during the week for school
other than that -- things are good, oh and I am still in physical therapy for the back, and Natalyn had her ACL replaced -- so we are going to physical therapy together.
now looking forward to not teaching for a month and just concentrating on my own school work. . . . no big plans for the 4th -- Mike has the day off of school, so who knows what we may do. . . . .
hope everyone is well, will try to update more often (at least the thought is there right?)
love to all!
erin and mike

the coolest fieldtrip EVER!

2006-03-25T13:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, so i decided about a month and a half ago to take my honor's bio kids on a field trip. We talked about it and they were willing to come in on a sat to go (it is the only way my district will allow fieldtrips that are not sports or ethnic club related to happen -- wouldn't want them to miss educational opportunities in school!!) Anyway, we went to southwest wildlife (click on the name to see) it was too cool!! It is a rehab place in NE scottsdale. The animals we were able to see are ones that they can not reintroduce into the wild. They do have about a 70% reintroduction rate, which is huge! And, while we were there the wolves, coyotes and dogs started howling. The workers call it a "touchdown" because it sounds like you are at a football game for about 30 seconds. If you click on the link above and have your sound on, you can hear an example.
It was too cool!!
everything else is great! mike has moved onto a new clinic, i can't remember what it is right now, and I started my master's (only 7 more weeks of the current classes)
Mike also got another job. he is working at a pet store in PV mall. He has sold 5 dogs in 6 or 7 days. He was told last night that he just surpased their best salesman. He really likes the job and gets to play with puppies the whole time he is there. Odin I think is a bit jealous when he comes home, but that is ok too :)
well, better go -- love to all -- and hey roger, some of that vacation time could be used to come a bit further south :) They repainted Jordan's, you won't even recognize the inside!!

new information

2006-02-28T16:23:00.000-07:00

well, so we don't have a whole lot of information. working, going to school, blah, blah :)
Mike is in electrical class now -- still has a 4.0 :) pretty exciting!!!
I am staring my master's program officially on 3/20!! Exciting!!
other than that, just getting through day by day. Been to Colorado, which was fun, and had visitors from Utah, fun too -- got to go to faire as a patron (weird but fun) sorry for all the fun and exciting, gave AIMS tests today, and I am a little brain fried!!
now, at PC, working til 7, but i only have a few weeks left for that
One exciting bit is that I am going to New Mexico over Spring break for NEA training on membership -- i am looking forward to that!
well, better go!
love to all :)
erin

update, update, update

2006-01-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

ok, so we haven't died or gone into the witness protection program or anything, just been a bit busy. Mike is now in the tires section of school, and still getting A's (100% on his last test). I am working 2 jobs (pc and metro tech) so I am a bit tired when I get home and don't even really want to look at a computer. :)
So, since we are so busy, we are pretty boring really. Staying home to be able to see each other when we are home.
glad to see all is well with everyone else. (we check blogs even if we don't comment)
well, better go . . love to all
erin and mike

So I posted one

2006-01-14T20:41:00.000-07:00

So school at mmi is doing well. Just finish theory it wasn't that bad thank to all the hour spent in the garage and in the truck hunting and fishing with gramps. So thank you for all the knowledge about engines I know it seemed at times I wasn't paying attention but it got in to my head some how. Well got a 95% in theory 1 and a 90% in theory 2 so guess that it a 4.0 which people never thought they would here that from me but I owe it all to gramps ( I loved every minute we spend together I always learned more form you than anywhere else).
the next three weeks are wheels and suspension where I get to learn how to change motorcycle tires and lace the spokewheel (I am excited) then the three weeks after that I go in to precision measuring (not excited).
otherwise we are fine money's a a little tight but we manage. We traded in the van for a hyundai elantra cheaper car payment a little tight fit for me but the only time I really am in the car is to take Odin to the dogpark most of the time I just take my bike(motorcycle).

Mike & Erin

Happy new year and all that jazz

2006-01-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year (as always I am running late!)
I know we haven't posted for a while, been really busy down here! Mike got a job as a bouncer at a dance club in Scottsdale, so this was the first new year's eve that we haven't been together at midnight :( oh, well, we both lived, so I guess all is well.
didn't hear from the Christmas 2 party, hope it was good, did you guys get the kringla??
I got a part time job working at Phoenix College in the cashiers office. I worked all this week, and when school starts back up next week, I will be here 3 nights a week. I am also starting my masters program (hopefully this spring, march maybe), I am getting it in Educational Technology. It is an on-line program through NAU and should take about a year, it should match up just about right with Mike's school :)
no, I am not trying to do too much, I am only going to have the part time job until I start school, or only through the end of this semester at the most.
Mike still really likes school, he has gotten A's on all of his tests so far. He has a big group project due next week, so I am sure this weekend, there will be people at the house working. After that he starts into the hands-on stuff. Should be good!!
Well, better go, love to all!!
erin and mike

what's new???

2005-12-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

not a whole lot! Mike is still enjoying school, he got a 94% on his first test!! (and was upset when he got it back and realized that he misread the 2 questions he got wrong)
I am still just trying to get through until Winter Break!! Only 9 more school days :)
I had a college student come in today to observe my teaching skills. . . . we didn't have time to talk after, but she will be back tomorrow, so we shall see what she says!
I may have a student teacher next semester, so that should be interesting. . . . hopefully I will be more help to him/her than my cooperating teacher was to me!
Mike has a few jobs now. . . he is hanging flyers and get a certain amount for each one called on, and he is doing odds and ends for a contractor that we know. Apparently handyman-ness is in the Strong blood?? (i am not an english teacher!)
We are not sure about coming up for Christmas/New Year's yet. It really all depends on job situations. . . Mike only has the week between the holidays off, so he may need to rest and not travel. . . we shall see. I know it is only a few weeks away, but right now that is the best I can do!
so, that is about it. . . all is well here, enjoying the cooler weather (mid-60's)
hopefully we will see everyone soon!!
Love to all!

First days of school

2005-11-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Hello all!
ok, so Mike isn't one to post on the blogs, so I figured I would tell you what he has said about his first days of school . . .
He is doing great! He really likes it and is having a ball. He is having so much fun that right now he is asleep :)
He said they are doing basic team building stuff and yesterday they built a circuit and he pretty much put it together himself for his group!
Another really cool thing is that my cousin Zach is taking classes with him. We knew that he was starting school at the same time, but he wasn't at Mike's orientation, so we figured he was in the afternoon instead of morning classes, but he called on Sunday night and they are in the same class :) I am glad both for Mike and Zach; it is always nice to see a familiar face in the crowd of new faces at a new school!!
well, better go, hope everyone got home safe from Thanksgiving, and hopefully we will be able to see everyone over the holiday break!!
Love to all!
Erin

happy thanksgiving!!

2005-11-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone is having a great day :) Wish we could see everybody! :(
I found this great page on the history channels website about thanksgiving. One video is actually the history, another a funny cartoon! Check it out here
Love to all!!
Erin and Mike

Stop wal-mart

2005-11-18T08:12:00.000-07:00

There is a new movie out about the evils of wal-mart. I went to see it Monday and it is very well done. Please visit the website and find out if it is playing in your area. Go and see it -- it will open your eyes!!

Love,
erin

update on our boring lives

2005-11-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

not a whole lot happening down this way, just trying to get through until Thanksgiving break!
I just finished my first class of the semester and am starting on #2 Saturday (all day long!!)
But it is really ok, as it will help me to teach my freshman science class and any help with that right now would be amazing!!
Mike is still job hunting, he has orientation next week (Monday I think) and then school starts the 28th :)
other than that, life really is pretty boring here!
Love to all!
erin

Frustrated teacher

2005-11-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I may have finally reached my limit. I am continually amazed at how little students retain. Boy, that was a sweeping generalization! But for about 85% of the students it is the truth. The minute they think a topic is done, they forget it. And we just got our AIMS results (the test our seniors this year have to pass to graduate) and according to that data, only 35% or so of our seniors have passed the math. That is the seniors that have been with us for all 4 years. . . . How sad is that. It will be interesting to see what the state does in may of 2006 when so many students are not going to get a high school diploma. . . . . Interesting times to say the least!!

motorcycle school

2005-11-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

ok, so mike is or rather will be on the 28th learning to be a motorcycle mechanic. the website for all interested is http://www.uticorp.com/go/schools/momi/
he will be in school for about 18 months. so, plan on making a trip down this way in feb of 2007. hey at least the weather will be cool then, and we could always plan on a trip out to faire to celebrate :)
love to all!
erin

pictures of odin as requested

2005-11-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

ok, so here are a few newer pictures of the big dumb dog :)

motorcyle school :)

2005-11-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

ok, so i finally thought that maybe we should also get in on this blog thing!
news on the phoenix strong front, mike is going to motorcycle school, we are all very excited!! and i am still teaching, and teaching and teaching! hopefully someday I will be caught up with grading and preparation and all that, and then i can retire :)
speaking of all that teacher stuff, must sign off and do that!
love to all!
erin