A rare sight: TAKS

That's right, the devoted man behind the Blogger has finally made an appearance. Colby has her first of two days worth of TAKS testing today. She's understandably nervous and fighting off some nasty allergies all the while trying to make sure all of her kids are able to test today, three of which were out yesterday due to strep throat. She was also fighting off a selfish outburst from yours truly while she was trying to get to sleep. Her students have been getting better and better with each pretest as the months have gone by. Most of them will pass, some might not but it won't be because they didn't have the best teacher out there.

My wife has worked harder than I ever have (or will!) trying to get these kids to reach their full potential. She's adapted to a place that's not always easy, with kids that aren't given anything, and has flourished (she might disagree but she has). Teachers have the most under appreciated job out there. I myself have been guilty of not appreciating all that she does for our home and those kids.

Good luck Highland! I love you, Colby.

--- Micah

The good wife's guide

I've been sprucing up the porch and bed for spring today and I'm all tuckered out plopped down on the couch. As I'm sitting here just waiting for my eyes to close, I decided to look through old folders on the computer. A classic popped up. Micah thought it would be funny to send it to me. Maybe it's a hint to cook a little more??? I kid, I kid...click and the attachment will enlarge.



My favorite line..."don't complain if he stays out all night." I would be a "bad" 1955's housewife.

Much love,

Won't you be my neighbor?

It took a little while, but all the yard work we did this summer lent itself to meeting our neighbors. We live across the street from one of the professors at Wayland. She is so nice, and she told me today that they are moving to Waco to accept a position at Baylor. I really like these neighbors. Her husband brings me corn and okra from some of the test fields. Won't you be my neighbor?

By the way, I mostly wrote this post because I LOVE Mr. Rogers. I grew up watching Sesame Street, Days of Our Lives (my mom stayed home...Bo and Hope's drama was still big back then!), and Mr. Rogers! However, I would love for you to be my across the street neighbor. We could have block parties, have coffee, errr, coke in the morning, check each other's mail when out of town, do carpool...is it obvious that I wouldn't mind a Mayberry existence?!?

Much love,

Blemish be gone

I've been going to the dermatologist since late middle school...maybe early high school. The Kenner family (aka The Ghost Family as my mom nicknamed us after a church family portrait) is quite familiar with High Plains Dermatology. I was a regular in high school. No one would know I had problamtic skin with all the creams and pills! When I moved to Lubbock, I found a new dermatologist who I love and had regular visits with. Well, I don't think it's any secret that we are wanting kids. Being the planner that I am, I met with doctors and made this plan to check on medicine I was taking. First stop, skin doc. No more skin cream to banish the blemishes. So the face was doing okay for the next few months. I even tossed the eye wrinkle cream! Next stop, the down there doc. You can't have a babe if you are taking measures to prevent it. So, after getting rid of that circular pack, I thought I was in horrible pain and went to the doctor. I was told all the parts went back to work. I'm sure they thought I was a giant cry baby. I suppose all the drugs are out of my system, but now I feel like I'm 14 with my skin. I'm so annoyed, and I feel quite vain about the whole deal. Am I really this selfish? I use over the counter face wash that has benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. So I googled (which makes me feel even crazier!) and some posters say it's okay and other's not so much to use these products. Alright ladies, what do y'all know about this face wash business before I annoyingly call the doctor...I'm sure they'd love that! I see all these lovely pregant people who just glow...not a zit anywhere. Oh, and I'm not even pregnant yet and I'm zitty and I have a pretty snazzy sunburn, too.

Much love,

Blog Therapy

Excuse me while I think on the blog. Hello, my name is Colby, and I have an addiction to planning. Planning everything. I just asked Micah what our weekend plans were. He informed me that it was a weekend (meaning really, what are you crazy?!?). I like to know where I'm going today, tomorrow, in a month, in a year, 5 years, etc. It gives me safety, security, and purpose. Well, I'm in a position right now where I want to plan. Here goes...I miss teaching social studies. I like my 4th grade team. I miss teaching social studies! I want to work in a positive working environment. I don't want to be seen as a quitter. I loved my old job at Evans...I mean, really loved it. My old job is 55 minutes away door to door. I miss writing fun lesson plans. Now, it's April...I've gotta do something. Please pray for peace and the right doors to open up for me to move through.

Much love,

Finish Strong

Finish Strong is our class motto that has been written on the board since Tuesday. Well, my class had its best day of the WHOLE year yesterday so I figured I would leave it for today. It worked! I told them not to waste August to April's hard work. Finish strong. I am writing around it hoping that this mantra sticks. I told my other fourth grade teachers about my little saying, and they had to go write it on their boards--whatever works! Before the writing TAKS, I was getting awful sleep and generally was not a pleasant person, but I really am far more peaceful with the math and reading TAKS. Be saying prayers for all the kids for clarity and confidence. They amaze me with how much they melt into little excited children when they get a good grade and praise! Oh, and can I just mention 30 school days left until SUMMER!!!

Much love,

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone had a very Happy Easter! We certainly did! We spent it with Micah's family in Midland. While we were away Plainview had very chilly temperatures and rain (yippee for the rain and yea for missing out on those less than desirable temps!) A little putt-putt was had, a lot of Master's watching and relaxing, and eating, eating, eating yesterday was enjoyed by all. Easter service had our minds reflecting on Easter's meaning. It is so hard to fathom that an innocent man was cruified for our sins so we may live. More importantly, that he rose from the grave. Wow! We drove home yesterday with a beautiful sky in front of us. God is an artist.

Malouf family Easter in pictures

Micah, Colby


Jason, Ashlee


Mitch, Sherry; Mitch, Macy


Me, Dodger


Micah, Dodger

Much love,

New Look for a New Blog Year

I started blogging last March, and it's been really fun way to scrapbook my thoughts and memories since I hate cutting and gluing paper in a traditional scrapbook. I needed a new look for a new year of blogging (there is a button if you need help, too...I certainly cannot set this up)! The title refers to the fact that we live a rural existence...not like Little House on the Praire, but we have a community well, pay trash service and there is a cotton field behind the across the street neighbor's house. I vote this to be rural, and I ramble. A lot. Micah says I never can tell a concise story. The picture on the header sprouted out of a picture Micah drew me on my computer years ago. I can't remember if we were dating or engaged when he left this paint picture on my desktop background. It captured my heart. That picture is my dream for life.



On another note, I'm going to share with you a glimpse into the night life at our house. Here's the set up...I'm looking at the Ipod songs looking so grubby! I come across the "Don't Wanna be a Player No More" song and had to have a good laugh so I began to dance silly. While I'm jammin', Micah's videoing (I didn't know at the time, but had a good laugh when I saw it) and Dodger begins to take over another pillow! And, yes, we do think this sort of thing is funny. Roll it.




Much love,

The tousled look...

Lately, I've been sporting a lovely tousled hair look (with a splash of dirt for added texture) with the wind blowing nonstop! It makes me dream of heading back to Florida soon! I suppose it just makes me treasure summer all the more! Twelve days until TAKS (4th grade has yet to take their math or reading) has everyone on edge. I was more wound up by the writing TAKS at the beginning of March. I'm still tutoring non-stop. My kids still like tutoring, and we are doing the most boring TAKS reading passages. I had one today beg to stay for more. I think he's a glutton for punishment, but a sweet glutton. Gold star for him for making me feel better about making them work non stop on again, I repeat, the most boring work, ever. My enthusiasm for anything TAKS at this point is underwhelming, I know. I just want them to do well. They love to do well. They love to be praised. I just want them to succeed for their own confidence.

On another note, Micah just walked by and informed me that Dodger needed some love on the blog. Micah used to make fun of my blog . He's taken an about face now that people have come up to me and actually mentioned the blog in passing conversation. He will now say, "This is a good picture for the blog."

Micah and Dodger relaxing in the man chair. My slanket is sitting on top of it because Dodger has taken over anything that is mine. My pillows, my blankets...what's next?


I got my furniture in! Below is the man chair, then the coffee table ottoman, and my great grandmother's library chair.


Dodger takes over the furniture. No surprise.






Is he spoiled or what? He gives the new fabric two paws up!

Much love,