Oh Summer, Where Have You Gone?

I cannot believe that I am writing this, but my summer break is almost over. Unfortunately, I am still on the hunt for a full time teaching gig, bu I am a firm believer that it will happen. For some reason, breaking into teaching has been much more difficult than either of us could have ever imagined, but at least Marilyn has landed a couple of interviews, so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

Anyways, as summer is coming to a close for us, I wanted to let everyone know what the highlights of my time off were. These will come in no particular order, with the exception of the first event.

• We got engaged! I know that this was technically in the spring, but it was sort of the unofficial kick off to our break since it came during the last weekend of last school year. Planning has not yet kicked into high gear, but now that we have settled on a site for the festivities, I'm sure things are going to come in a fast and furious manner.
• Picking the wedding site. I cannot wait for you guys to meet us up at Walter Payton's Roundhouse next August 1st. If you have the date free that is.
  
• Radiohead. It was unbelievable. I still cannot quite believe that it happened, but I will be forever thankful that I got a chance to experience the magic in person.
• The mid-season finale of Battlestar Glactica. Laugh all you want, but it was one of the best hours of television that I have ever seen. My jaw is still on the floor from the final scene. As a matter of fact, I still have it on my DVR and watched it yesterday.
  
• The Chicago Cubs. Please continue your prayer campaign, as things seem to be working out so far. They are having a great year and I thank my lucky stars every day that I have had the good fortune to see three games this year.
• Meeting Macy Marie Cappa. The miracle of child birth never ceases to amaze me. Anthony and Jillian did a great job with this one and I can only hope that her first words are Go Cubs!
• Attending the Milner baby shower. It was great fun watching three University of Illinois engineers attempt to put together a playpen as this lowly history teacher chimed in from the sidelines. Besides that, apparently I knew what a baby platypus is called. Who would have known? In all seriousness, I can't wait to meet little Miss Milner. Hopefully her first words will be Go Cubs! as well.
• Having lunch with Laura and getting to see her while she was pregnant. It was like old times having a meal with her, Mar, Meg and Brian C. I will get to meet young Cole with time, and I know that his first words will be Go Cubs.
• Going to two free Cubs games with Benjamin. They were both a great time, with the exception of Soriano breaking his had during the game against the Braves. We have not spent as much time with the Koechlings as in summers past, but we are also anxiously awaiting their little package. I'm sure Baby K will be a giant like his father and I can't wait to hear his first words: Go Cubs!
• Watching Anthony burp little Macy as Grandpa Cappa chimed in. I wish everyone could have heard Grandpa C tell me, "Well, he has giant hands. I'm not sure he knows that."
• Seeing John C. Reilly wear a Chewbaca mask in the move Step Brothers.
• Babysitting Caitlin for a day. I don't get to see her nearly as much as I would like, so that surprise opportunity was truly a treat for me. Even though she would not let me hug her and clung to Marilyn's side the whole time, it was a day well spent.
• Receiving Frank the Gnome as a gift. He now watches every game with me and proudly watches over the place from his perch on our media cabinet.
• Seeing my Aunt Miriam and Uncle Luis renew their vows after thirty years. We had a great time with family that I don't see nearly enough. I can only hope we make it that long.
• Meeting Jack White on the streets of Chicago.
• Becoming hopelessly addicted to sudoku. It beats watching more television.
• The Chili's softball tournament. This will have it's own post coming up soon.
• Seeing the pictures of Brian J's burnt hand. Thank you for the laughs.
  

Well, I think that sums up my favorite happenings of the summer so far. We are headed up to Wisconsin for a week for some rest and relaxation before we dive back into the school year. I will be back at HCHS and Marilyn has a couple of options, so we will see where she lands. I hope to post a couple more times before the summer is over with some long overdue stories.