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Ahh, the end of summer and the beginning of fall... my second favorite time of the year...

Life is funny sometimes. I started off the year substitute teaching, but due to some unfortunate events, I am now teaching full time. I am teaching Honors classes at Exeter High and loving it here!! Whoever thought, as a Dinuba Emperor, I would ever be living, teaching and rooting for Exeter?! It's great here. I like the kids, colleagues, and just the entire atmosphere here.

Ricky is in the middle of his football season. First game of the year... INTERCEPTION!!! It was priceless!! It was such an awesome experience for him. He is incredibly humble and so when everyone was congratulating him, he was a little unsure of what to do. He was trying to hide his smile, but his eyes were beaming at their confirmation.

MOHawks have started off well. We had a nice win against Fresno Christian last week. We have a bye this week, but will be back in action next week when we return to Woodlake. It will be a fun game, getting to see everyone. Rick and the JV Head Coach have a good relationship, unstrained from the resignation, so it will be a good game.

Marina and I just kind of follow the boys around during football season, as I tote along my bag full of papers to grade. But we get a week off in the middle of October and are looking forward to getting away for a short family vacation, something that we have yet to do. We aren't sure if it will be North or South yet, so details will follow. We're thinking about heading to Sea World, but Marina mentioned that she wanted to go to San Francisco, so we'll see what happens...

Vacation

We are taking a vacation this weekend!!

I am so excited to get away with some good friends, in the mountains, by the lake, no worries and tons of fun! I am currently on a three week vacation, before I go back to a teaching job in Exeter.

Life is good, but busy, as I am cleaning a bit around the house, doing laundry on a daily basis, dishes and keeping up with Alabama and or newest addition to our family, Mississippi. She's a 4 month old puppy (most likely a boxer mix) who is adjusting to Ruiz family life, suffering from beatings given to her by her sister and cousin, Oscar, who lives next door, but rolls under the fence for the better part of the day. She's totally adorable, pictures will come later.

We have 2 more weeks until we are in full fledge football season and life, once again, becomes hectic!! So much fun though. The MOHawks looked good during passing league, finally coming into their own after grueling practices. I'm looking forward to a fun season!

Leaving Woodlake...

Today was a VERY emotional day...

Rick and I decided to leave Woodlake. It was a very difficult decision, and after MUCH thought and consideration, we have decided that Rick will leave his Head Coaching position to be the new Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator at Mission Oak High School (the new high school in Tulare). We are very excited for this new adventure, but it is all a little bittersweet right now, leaving the boys at Woodlake. These boys have become a part of our family. I would do anything for so many of them. We had to say goodbye to them today, which was a little more emotional than I expected...
But now, the pressure of Head Coaching responsibilities are gone, which will allow more time for him to be home and be there for Ricky & Marina, and the many activities and sports that they are now involved in. And he has the opportunity to build a brand new program, which is a rare opportunity.
So now we begin to cheer on the Mission Oak Hawks!! Sporting purple, black and gold. But we still root for those amazing boys in orange and black!!