Updates & Reflections

What’s new with the Dobrow family?  Well, a lot, actually!  I am finally done with school – In May, I completed my graduate program at Columbia College and am the proud recipient of a Master’s degree in Elementary Education!!! That’s not the only wonderful accomplishment that this family has to be proud of, though.  This spring, a main reason I didn’t have the time to post, Jeff was away in Alabama working hard and, In June, he completed Officer Training School.  My husband has his commission and is now a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force (So proud of you Babe!J). 

Now that he has completed his training to become an officer, he is away once again and we miss him something awful!!! L That being said, we are excited about the new opportunities that we will have as a result of these small sacrifices as a family!  Six days ago Jeff left for Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California, to attend school for his job as a Missiles Officer.  After Christmas, just a few short months from now, we will be leaving Missouri and making Great Falls, Montana, our new home.  Once there, Jeff will begin his new job and I fully intent to begin shaping young minds through my teaching and experiencing all that the great state of Montana has to offer. 

All the craziness aside, and after my husband’s graduation from Officer Training School, we were able to have him home on leave for 5 weeks and enjoyed a much-needed vacation that was full of fun and we made some lasting memories as a family!  Some may call us crazy, but we embarked on an in-your-face, no personal space, three-week-long road trip to California.  Before getting to California, though, we picked up our oldest son, Jaydon, from Offense-Defense football camp in Kansas City.  After four days of practice, three practices a day, every day, in the Missouri heat and humidity, he learned a lot and grew from this experience (although his appreciation of the value in this was temporarily overshadowed by exhaustion and a sore body).  We are so proud of him and the young man he is becoming!  

Jaydon, running the ball

After picking Jaydon up from camp, we were ready to officially begin our chaotic and fun-filled summer vacation!  The first major destination for the family was Disneyland.  We couldn’t go all the way to California without first stopping off in Phoenix to spend some time lounging poolside at my dad’s house.  This was my first time at his new house.  We really enjoyed ourselves and the time we were able to spend with Papa Jojo! 

Laney, Jaydon, & I

Quincy & Papa Jojo

Following some very quality time with my dad, the Dobrow family headed toward the happiest place on Earth – Disneyland!  The kids were so excited, Laney and Quincy especially.  They were just babies the last time we went and didn’t remember it as vividly as Jaydon did.  

Jaydon, Laney & Quincy

That being said, Jaydon, Jeff & myself were also very excited and had equally as good of a time (I am a serious kid at heart!!!).      

Jaydon & I

 I learned something about my family – when it comes to vacationing, Jeff and the kids treat it like an extreme sport!    I teased them and told them that our trip to Mickey’s world should be termed “Disneylanding”. 

Jeff & Jaydon in Minnie's House

 Three days was plenty - I don't know if I could have endured more than that!  Once we completed that portion of our journey, we were off to celebrate Jeff’s Grandmother her 80^th birthday.  For her birthday, Grams wanted the whole family to get together at Silver Lake Family Camp – a place she has been bringing her family and making memories for years and years.  So, it was off to Silver Lake for some Dobrow family fun & celebration of an amazing and inspiring woman!  We had so much fun and were able to see the entire family at one time – even Jeff’s brother, his wife, and kids - Layla & Cyrus - were able to come all the way from Japan for this special occasion.  Here are some pictures of our time at Silver Lake.  

Laney & Grams

From Left: Layla, Laney, Cyrus, & Quincy

The Whole Dobrow Family

This was an amazing vacation and we had a blast – so much fun that I really needed a vacation from my vacation just to recover from all of the activity!  I look forward to sharing our adventures that are yet to come as a family and throughout our next few months, as we embark on this new chapter in our lives.  Here’s to the future and the unpredictably, crazy, and joyful life we lead!
 

Book Review

This story makes even the most squeamish readers look at this likeable cockroach in a whole new light.  Maybelle, a cockroach who dreams of tasting a morsel from a plate, is consumed with how to get access to the finest foods.  Maybelle goes for it despite what her friend Henry, a flea who dines on the family cat, says to warn her.  This story is a very vivid description of the adventures that Henry and Maybelle experience as a result of her craving for food - off of a plate! 

It's Been A While...

It sure has been a while since I have last posted - months, at the very least!!!! I have been so busy!  Since my last post, I have completed my student teaching, earned my  Missouri State Elementary Teaching Certification, I am closer to my Master's Degree - one 8 week class away - and I went on a much needed vacation to New York City with the love of my life! I love you, Jeff!!!  That's exactly what I want to talk about, my trip to New York.  While there, I had a great time, relaxed, and enjoyed wonderful food, friends (yes, we knew people there), and unique opportunities.  While we were there, I kept thinking of my students and of ways that I could thread what I was experiencing into their education somehow - I really wanted to share what I was experiencing with them!!!

Below: This is a picture of my husband and I at New York's Museum of Modern Art

 Below: This is a beautiful ampitheater in Central Park

 Below: My hubby & I - a rare gem, we don't get many of these because one of us is usually the one taking the picture!

 Below: Me, in the "chair" outside of the theater where we saw Wicked on Broadway.

 Yes, this is our PLAYBILL from the Broadway show Wicked - as we are seated 5 seats away from the stage!

Left: Our tickets to the show!

 Above: Our visit to the 9/11 Memorial - what a touching experience!!!!!! I can't be honest unless I say that it moved me to tears more than once.

 The survivor tree... this tree was one of the few survivors of the attacks on our World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. This is a callery pear tree, planted in the 1970s, a true survivor and testament to our strength as a nation.


It has been a wild ride this past few months and now it is time to get back to some sense of normalcy & blogging about my life, inside and outside of the classroom.