So it’s been a while since we’ve updated our page. Here’s a bit of what we have been up to this spring. March was T’s busiest month of the school year with three retreats—Urban Plunge, sophomore retreat, and an Encounter retreat. All went well, but she was ready for spring break.
Mark started graduate school through Regis University. He’s getting his master’s of arts, emphasizing in history and Homeland Security. He’s working super long days as the wing exec, so it’s made doing homework a bit challenging.
We went to Florida the week after Easter so T could go to Disney World. She hadn’t been since she was 1. Highlights of the trip included the Tower of Terror, Muppet 4D Spectacular, the Star Wars ride, Autopia, the Aerosmith ride, Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain. Sadly, we were some of the last people to ride Space Mountain, as it was closing for renovation.
The end of April brought spouse flights for T, another retreat for T, and the conclusion of Mark’s first graduate class. T also had the privilege of representing Seton when teaching at the Middle School Language Arts workshop at DeMatha High School.
In early May, the Cardinals were in D.C. As was the case last year, it rained and weather was cold for spring. Once again, a game was rained out, but the Cardinals are coming July 23 to D.C. before the Phillies series, so we do get to catch the rained out game. Mark started graduate class number two, which he loathes because he hates learning about research methods. We also went to Murray, Kentucky for Meggie’s college graduation. We spent the weekend at Kentucky Lake sharing tight quarters in a cabin, having a Pie Council meeting, and cruising around on a Pontoon boat.
Teresa officially got her “new” Teacher of the Year award in mid-May. “New” simply means that she has taught at Seton for less than five years. They have a “veteran” and “new” teacher of teh year. She scored a picture of with the archbishop, a DVD of the Mass with the Pope in DC, and a $100 gift certificate for Clyde’s, a nice steakhouse in DC. Mid-May also brought Andrews’ annual JSOH. Mark worked all weekend. It was Teresa’s last week of class, and she has never been more excited for the end of the school year.
Now, it’s Memorial Day weekend. Mark spent Saturday making an agility course for Darcy and Scout. Mark’s writing papers and he’s prepping for his Jeopardy tryout on Friday. He made round 1 and if he does well in Friday’s three-hour interview, he’ll get to be on the show.
T is procrastinating, working on the blog, instead of grading the 43 portfolios. Exams are Thursday, and school ends next Thursday.
Tuesday, we celebrate our second wedding anniversary. Second year is cotton or china, so T gets to go dress shopping for an ordination and wedding in the Lou. We already have china, so Mark got the nice copper Calphalon pots and pans he didn’t get from the wedding registry.
What’s our summer plans?
We’re hoping to continue our weekly morning running. T is hoping that the Tuesday volleyball on the Mall with her co-worker Deb really happens. Mark turns 31 on June 3. T gets to have lots and lots of doctor visits. T is going to STL June 11-22 for Brian’s ordination, a second cousin’s wedding, her dad’s 84th birthday (June 13!), the Jackson family picnic, cleaning/organizing her mom’s house (that she owns), and the long-awaited reading of Chuck Bright’s book. Mark gets to come to STL for just the birthday, ordination, and family picnic. In June, we’re also going to see a cousin Michael Jackson cover show at the 9:30 Club. It’s going to be awesome.
July brings a long anticipated Jackson sibling reunion at the Jackson Bed and Breakfast in D.C., a 1st helicopter squadron BBQ hosted by yours truly, a rainout Cards game in DC, T’s 31st birthday, a trip to Philly to see the Cards, and T’s teaching SAT Prep.
August means back to work for T, with freshman retreat meetings starting and newspaper meetings. She’s hoping to get a quick trip to Houston for her neice Maggie’s first birthday. If we meeting our losing and gaining weight goals, we get to go to Pittsburgh Labor Day weekend for the Cards/Pirates series, so keep your fingers crossed!
So what to pray for…that T’s numerous doctor visits go well (and we get a baby out of the deal), that Mark makes it on Jeopardy yet this year, and that we get to go to Pittsburgh for some STL Cards and Steak ‘n Shake. =)
