Thankful in November

There are so many things to be thankful for....this past month has been pretty special!

#1 - our school's facility referendum vote...I co-advise the Middle School Character Council, who sponsored a mock election for K-12 students the day before the school district's election.  86% of our kids voted YES to having the facility referendum pass, which means: new performing arts space, new K-12 art & music classrooms, a new central office space (so people don't have to track down our shared counselor, principal, etc.)!...oh, and a new K-12 library space!  On November 3rd, our district also voted 86% in favor of this referendum!  HOORAY!! The existing high school library and adjoining middle school classrooms (including mine) will be knocked over this spring to make way for the new auditorium.  This is just a small fraction of why we needed the referendum to pass.  The bigger reasons were: Safety, new working fire alarm systems, new public address system, a cafeteria area where students don't have to walk through the kitchen to get their food, new HVAC, and a new roof.  NEEDS!! Thanks to our facility committee for working so hard the past 2 years to ask the public what they felt we needed, and paring this down to needs at a reasonable price.   Some of us will be moving in the middle of the year to a temporary spot (including the library with ?? books--not sure which ones to put in storage), but it will all be worth it!  Mark is excited to get to move into the current art room for the weight room and cardiovascular equipment....our current training room is bursting at the seams!

The 2nd week of November brought a few special visitors to our middle/high school.  Paul Lagan and Larry McGinley came to share their experiences as two of the members of the Kickapoo Kids, a group of boys from the LaFarge/Sterling/Kickapoo River area who played for Gays Mills High School and went to state 3 out of the 4 years they were in high school.  This was quite an achievement when you consider that in the 1950s there were no divisions; small schools played much larger schools in the tournaments.  Paul wrote a book (which he brought to sign for people who wanted to purchase a copy), and Larry coached baseball at nearby Platteville High School for several years.  We learned a lot about the way people lived in the 40s and 50s, a simpler but sweet time.  To mark the occasion, several students and staff went "low- to no-tech" and dressed for "Throwback Thursday".  It was a lot of fun!

Our eldest daughter Ally joined the National Honor Society at PHS in November!

Congratulations to all of the members!

Paige & Shae had a "photo shoot" with a few moms of their friends.  There are 8 girls who really get along well, and they got to spend the day together and go to the Badger volleyball game in the evening.  Lucky girls!

Every November brings one of my favorite holidays...THANKSGIVING!
Wynne found her "My 1st Thanksgiving" big given to her 9 years ago by her godmother Aunt Tammie!

We hosted Mark's family on Thanksgiving day.  I ate too much (as you can see here)!

Paige & Brooke, age 12

gluten-free pumpkin pie - my first attempt!

The Davis family has welcomed Ladina from Switzerland into their home this year!  She is sitting right next to (to the right of) Taylor.  Tage is in front, and Brock is to the left! Aren't they getting so big?

Food, family, and football.....

One of the girls took the camera...sorry these are a little dark!

Mark, Trevon?, Harper, Wynne, Jackie, & Kierta

My side of the family got together on Sunday.  I'm thankful for brothers Dan and Brian finding this nice, big place for us to gather:  Tri-County Archery!

clockwise from front left: Ally, Wynne, Garrison, Gabe, Cy, Payton, & Claire

Plenty of places to eat and visit with family!  It is nice to see nieces and nephews back from college and work...Kaycie and Lacey both flew in for the weekend!

Christopher, Shae, Catherine, Bailey, Paige, & Mark

The place had a great backyard area with a swingset and room for LIVE football! (much better than watching the Packers right now...ugh...)

Tim & Maryellen's "3 little girls" Elsie, Addie, and Mae are getting bigger every minute....I hear people say they remind them of "the 3 girls" of old (Marla, Julie, and me) about 40 years ago;)

 I am thankful for a wonderful break off from school...and for GAMES time!  It's great to play and watch everyone engage in board games and cards.  Telestrations at the kids' table....

Sequence at the "big kids'" table....

....and what would an Engelke get-together be without cribbage?

Brian, Mom,  (Jared) Dan, and Lacey

I can feel our loved ones in heaven watching down and spending this time with us.  Love to all!!

 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 

For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-- 

 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 

 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. --1 Corinthians 1:4-8