Little Hands

We just turned Nolan's carseat around in the car. His legs couldn't fit with the backwards carseat anymore. :)

Two great things have come from this:

1) I can see his face.

2) I can hold his hand.

He giggles every time I reach my hand back. Nope. Don't think it could get any cuter.

That is all. :)

Dear Andy

"Just counting down the days until summer." - Andy Loeb (August 31, 2009 first day of the school year)

Dear Andy’s Family,

Andy spoke so highly of you. I adored the way he loved you so much. I am sending you as much strength as I possibly can during this difficult time.

I have not met anyone who didn't think Andy was awesome. In one way or another, in a big way or a small way, he left an impression on people. Students, friends, colleagues…he was adored by so many.

Andy is and will always be remembered.

Love,

Christine

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Dear Andy,

I don’t know how, but I was one of those lucky people who won the lottery and got to have you for a friend. I am filled with so much happiness that I was able to know you, have you in my life, have you for my pal.

During this very difficult time, I am allowing myself a selfish moment. This letter is mostly about my own feelings.

I am not writing this letter to tell you I am sad. You wouldn't want me to do that. I am writing to tell you I love you.

I first met you at a BBQ in Chris’s backyard just before school started for my first year of teaching. I was a nervous, new teacher and all of you were the veteran teachers. When I started talking to you, I predicted I would love working with you. I was right.

You welcomed me with open arms immediately. You gave me a book on my first day of teaching (First Day Jitters) and wrote a sweet note on the inside cover. You often popped into my classroom after school, sat on my counter and chatted with me about life and the price of eggs in China. You had such an important role in my journey as a teacher. 

I have so many wonderful memories of you. I am holding on to those and loving the smiles they bring to my face when I relive them in my mind. I must remind you of one of my favorites: Remember how I used to enter the building in the morning and then serenade you with obnoxiously chipper morning songs?  You were HILARIOUSLY grumpy in the mornings as you told me, “I don’t do mornings.” Your best response to my morning singing was when you stood in your classroom doorway with an evil look on your face and immediately turned off the lights when I walked by. I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. I still imagine you in that doorway in the mornings and smile.

You made me laugh constantly. You made a scene in the staff room every time you filled up your water bottle. I don’t think anyone else in this world can make me smile just from looking at a water dispenser.

I lost a part of me this weekend when you left this world.  Many of us did.

Thankfully, I can still feel your presence everywhere I go. It helps me to continue with daily life.  In one difficult moment during a shopping outing the other day, I paused, “How are we supposed to do this?”  Stacey responded with words I now repeat in my mind as often as possible, “We have to. It’s what Andy would have wanted us to do.”

I am closing this letter with a post I left on your facebook page on your birthday this year. It was Chris’s awesome idea for everyone to post 20 Random Things I Love about Andy.  

Here was my post:

20 Random Things I love about Andy:

1. His red onesie.
2. His dedication to young adult books and other reading material.
3. His sudden outburst of his outdoor voice when telling a joke.
4. His grumpy sense of humor every single morning.
5. His open mindedness.
6. His fascination with mathematical ideas.
7. His beard.
8. His family.
9. His dogs.
10. His passion for teaching and impacting the lives of children.
11. His dirty white van.
12. His button-up shirts.
13. The fact that we have the same Starbucks coffee mug. Those are some high quality mugs.
14. His love for writing in composition books. For every single subject imaginable. 
15. His random cracks of inappropriate jokes. 
16. His thoughtful advice. 
17. His loving and mellow nature.
18. The way he loves his family.
19. Pam.
20. He is my pal.

Love,

Christine

I'm Old...er

A Christine Entry: 

I always gave my friends a hard time for calling themselves old when they turned 29 or 30. I get it now. 29 is...old...er. 

Yes, the day has come when I enjoy being carded.

I had a wonderful birthday. 

It started the the night before. Since Stacey's birthday is so close to mine, we celebrated together. She and Nick joined us for dinner and we enjoyed some birthday cupcakes and talked about how old we are.

On the day of, I spent the morning with my little boy and then went out for manicures, sushi and shopping with Rachel and Michelle. 

For dinner, we did my absolute favorite thing in the whole world....WATCH FOOTBALL AT A LOUD BAR! WOOOOOOOOOOP! 

Just kidding, it's not my favorite thing. BUT I was with my favorite people, so it was still great. :) 

My brothers and Sooji made it all the way up from Eugene to hang out. Sara and her family joined us too, even though the weren't feeling so great. Good people. :) 

Holidays and Friends

We have some incredible friends. I could write a blog post about each one. Maybe some other time. :)

The part of our holidays that we spent with our friends was full of laughs.

The highlights were that Jon and I had an Ugly Sweater Party with our neighbors also hung out with them for New Years. We danced and played shuffle board. Sara and I beat the guys at shuffle board. This makes us better than them in every way.


Another experience we were able to share with our neighbors was the "Intel Snow." The enormous amount of steam rising from Intel frosted over our area and created some beautiful, white scenery. :)

I Like Coffee

A Christine Entry:

I really like coffee. So does Jon. I especially love it in the winter time. It keeps me warm and happy.

The best part about coffee is that it makes me a better teacher. Pshhh, forget my graduate credits...it's the coffee.

One morning we ran out of coffee and Jon left a full Dutch Brothers stamp card on the coffee canister for me to find before I left for work. I love him. Almost as much as I love coffee.

Please also enjoy our other amazing coffee related photos.

Ok, bye.

Holidays and Family

A Christine Entry:

Our little family :) 

We ventured out for our annual Christmas Tree Trip with my family.  Every year, we listen to Christmas music on the way to the tree farm (Cold Play - Christmas Lights and a little Faith Hill - Where are you Christmas? entirely for Jon), choose the first nice looking tree we see and then go out for lunch. :) It is so exciting to include our little man in this tradition.

Not a baby anymore?

Some of my family 

No-Nap-Nolan and Uncle Cam

My cute sister 

Nolan's aunt and uncle

Waiting for lunch

Heyo, Frank!

On December 16th, we went to Breakfast with Santa at Imbrie Hall with my family. It was VERY cute. People were dressed up as elves, the food was delicious and we were able to take some pictures with Santa.

Nolan checking Santa out

Nolan LOVES Santa!

Jon's family came over the night of December 23rd. We made pizza, opened Christmas presents and and played Uno Attack. It was relaxing and fun quality time. :)

Making pizza with Grandpa

Okay, bye.

12 from 2012

A Christine Entry:

Just a warning...this post starts out heavy, but it's mostly a happy one. :)

I would feel wrong if I wrote another happy blog post about our lives without acknowledging that some very, very sad things have happened lately. Stuff that is known nationwide and stuff that is a little closer to home. I don't know what to say that will express the sincere love, concern and care we hold in our hearts right now, but I will try.

We are deeply sorry and hurting for those who have lost. You are in our thoughts everyday. Our good wishes and prayers are with you and your loved ones through these very difficult times.



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I decided this is a good time to write a blog that makes us smile and helps us reflect on the good experiences we've shared last year.

Here are the top 12 amazing things that have happened to the Goldmann Family in 2012:

#12. My good friend is getting married. We are planning for their destination wedding in Hawaii (where we have never been) and couldn't be more excited about it.



#11. Another amazing friend is expecting baby #2. I will never forget the day I found out. Couldn't be happier for you, Michella. :)


#10. My sister turned thirteen and is taller than I am. Thirteen! Seriously??



#9. We introduced ourselves to our neighbors of five years. We have been amazing friends ever since.


#8. Our good friends just had their first baby. She's a precious little thing. :)

#7. We cleaned out the pantry.

#6. I became a teacher of 4th grade. I have met my soul mate of a grade level.

"I'm just not a big fan of homework." - 4th Grader

#5. Our family had an AMAZING Christmas. Stay tuned for a post about it. :)


#4. Our sweet baby boy turned ONE. Not a baby anymore! :( and :)



#3. Jon and I celebrated 6 years of being married:
"Thanks for dancing with me for 6 years. (Cue Barry White - My Everything)"

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#2. We still love our dogs and didn't sell them!


#1. Nolan can walk. :)