Random Thoughts

Haircut

2009-12-02T19:10:00.000-05:00

It seems my baby girl is growing up! She got her hair cut yesterday and went from hair most of the way down her back to hair just below the shoulder. I would say at least 4 inches of hair got cut. While I sniffed and choked back tears, she could not have been more thrilled. And I have to say- she looks gorgeous! I don't have a pic yet- still working on that. It seems returning to work has me more tired then I expected :)

I get my hair cut on Saturday and I am in desperate need of a new do- any suggestions?? Please! I need something to do with this mop- most days I talk around and I swear you would think I have a mop for a head. I just can't seem to find that perfect fit for my lazy mornings/how much time I'm willing to put into my hair and my actual hair craziness. Is it wrong to think your child has nicer hair than you do? Yes- I need hair help- suggest away!

Random Riley

2009-11-29T13:49:00.003-05:00

Riley has been cracking me up lately- random saying that come from his mouth just make me laugh!

After watching The Wizard of Oz, Riley says: "mommy, you witch" uhm, thought he would be a teen before I heard that one ;)

Then the next day he was playing and I hear him say "I'm melting!"....ha ha ha!

Riley has been fighting bedtime so last night I told him to close his eyes and go to sleep...he says to me- "mommy I did that last night"

And today while doing some Christmas shopping- Riley yells in the middle of the store- "my butt itches!" Thanks for sharing buddy!!

I just love how much he is growing and changing and how much he is expressing himself these days. I can't wait to hear what he comes up with next!

Life

2009-11-22T19:35:00.003-05:00

This would normally be the post where I tell you all that life is kicking my butt and getting the best of me. But, guess what? Not this time! I'm feeling pretty good despite the crazy of life!

Gary just has hernia surgery- not fun! He has what we thought were two hernias. Turns out one of the two was actually 3 hernias clustered in the same area. Yup- he has 4 hernias. I guess if you are going to get a hernia you might as well go for broke! The surgery was on Friday- it went well. It was long, but well. He does not do well with anesthesia so it takes him a long time in recovery to get with it and be able to function again. But after a long day of waiting, I was able to bring him home.

He spent the weekend in lots of pain, uncomfortable, and taking pain pills. We don't often sleep apart, but he slept on the couch and I slept in the bed- hey, one of us had to be rested since one of us had to take care of everything and be both mom and dad.

As the weekend went on, he continued to improve and as of now- he is not taking the pain pills, just advil. Go hubby!! He is still uncomfortable and in some pain,but improving. He is going to be stuck on the couch probably through most of the week. But each day gets better. He won't be able to lift for a while- Riley doesn't like that, but he is trying to deal with daddy not being able to hold him, get him dressed, etc. Ashlyn is being a great nurse and helping to take care of her daddy. She has a heart of gold!

Normally this is where I would be stressed and overwhelmed. This is where I would pity myself and start to cry. And none of you would have blamed me because it does suck being mom and dad and having zero help! Bless you single moms! But, I'm hanging in there. For some reason I am just dealing with it. I guess I'm saving all my negative energy for Thanksgiving when Gary's family comes to the house......

Living in the Past

2009-11-10T18:20:00.003-05:00

The DC Sniper-John Allen Muhammad- is scheduld for lethal injection tonight in the state of VA. Guess what? I'm glad. I know that may not be a popular opinion and I will respect your thoughts so please respect mine.

I lived in MD at the time of these shootings. I drove by and lived about a mile from the school where he shot an innocent boy. I have moved away from the state, but I still feel my heart race and have the panic feelings when I read about it, remember it, mention it, or hear it mentioned.

I remember the constant whirl of helicopters overhead. I remember hearing on the news that someone was shot in VA and rushing out to get gas because at least then I was probably safe in MD. I remember the fear of walking from my car to any building. I remember worrying as I walked my line of K students to their bus each day. I remember my roommate being so freaked out that she drove away from a gas station with the hose still in her gas tank. I remember crying over vicitms and fear and worry who might be next. I remember feeling unsafe. I remember how this changed my view of the world- it was not filled with goodness and kindness. It wa filled with fear and anxiety.

So that is why I am glad. I am glad because this man took something from all of us. He took our sense of safety and security. And while people no longer zig zag and duck and weave from their car to the grocery store- none of us who lived through this will ever forget that time. I can only imagine how the families who lost a loved one must feel.

This man needs to pay his debt to society. He took many lives and those of us who are still here have had our security taken and replaced with fear. He needs to pay his debt to society for this. I realize his death will not bring back those who lost their lives and it will not give back the sense of security and belief of goodness in the world. But I still believe he needs to pay his debt- deal with the consequence of his actions. For those reasons- I'm glad that he will meet his judgement day and someone much more important than me will decide his true fate.

I feel it Setting In

2009-11-07T11:09:00.002-05:00

I'm not much of a happy go lucky person- yeah, I know, that isn't much of a newsflash for most of you. It is hard for me to be a glass is half full kind of person. I'm more of a 'my freakin glass is cracked and leaking all over the place' kind of person. My natural tendency is to first see the negative and what will go wrong- not the positive and good in everything.

So as the holidays approach, I can feel the depression starting to set in. I know- who gets depressed at the holidays, right? What is wrong with me?? Most people love the holidays and get all happy, warm, and fuzzy. Not me. The holidays mean time with family- which is the problem. Spending time with my husband's family is really hard for me. It has been 6 years and I just can't seem to forgive them and move past their refusal to accept me. 6 years I have carried this around and 6 years of holidays I have sucked it up and tried to be the bigger person. But this year- I don't want to anymore. I see them doing it all over again, I see them hurting someone else the way they hurt me, and I hate it. I want to throw my Thanksgiving turkey at them instead of sitting down with them. 6 years is a long time to hold a grudge.....I know letting it go is the right thing to do, but I'm having trouble doing that.

To make matters worse- I don't like winter. The holidays- yeah, they happen to coincide with winter. I hate being cold. Hate it. And I'm always cold. Like right now- already in a sweatshirt and wrapped in a blanket. That doesn't leave much left to do to keep warm when it is really cold out in the middle of winter.

I can feel it coming- I can feel the negative, depression, grumpy me coming. What I can't figure out is how to stop it........

More Fun

2009-11-01T10:52:00.002-05:00

This week we are taking Ashlyn to see Disney on Ice (Celebrations). She loves the Disney on Ice shows and we go on opening night because it is cheaper. I'm looking forward to it- hopefully se enjoys it again this year!

Riley has been talking up a storm lately. Recently his favorite phrases are "What it is?" (instead of what is it) and "Let me do it!" He does not look one little bit like a baby anymore- all little boy now!

Trick or Treat

2009-10-29T20:33:00.004-04:00

I've been so super busy with school this year- but, I LOVE teaching 3rd grade. I just love the age group, the things I am teaching, and the structure of it. I hope I can stay- I am really enjoying it. It is so much work but it is going well. So my silence is a good thing- I'm busy but content!

I couldn't pass up sharing my little miss and mister at Halloween time though.

Ashlyn was Princess Jasmine and Riley was Bob (from Veggie Tales)

Rileyisms

2009-10-10T19:14:00.002-04:00

A few Riley funnies:

Me- Riley, what color is your shirt? (he still doesn't know his colors)
Riley- I'm busy!

Riley- "mommy, you stay home today?"
Me- sigh.....thinking about quiting my job when he says that

driving in the car Riley says - "I want to go to the beach"
me too buddy, me too!!

I'm pretty sure I'm biased....but check this out

2009-10-05T20:13:00.002-04:00

Ashlyn's school pictures- these were her Kindergarten pictures- wow am I in trouble when she get to high school! My beautiful girl!!

Soccer Star

2009-10-03T19:22:00.001-04:00

Ashlyn is half way through her soccer season. She can still be a bit hit or miss with it- sometimes she is on fire and doing really well, other times she doesn't have much behind her. But she seems to be having fun for the most part.

Click Away

2009-10-01T21:55:00.003-04:00

It is Breast Cancer Awareness month- click away and help out a worth while cause.

Finding my Groove

2009-09-26T15:17:00.003-04:00

I'm still feeling overwhelmed by all the new things I need to learn this year to teach 3d grade. I never realized how much more is involved even though it is only one grade higher than when I taught 2nd grade. But, it is getting better and I'm adjusting more and more each day. I am hoping to fully hit a routine and find my groove. Each day I do something for the first time is one step closer to knowing what I am doing. While the pressure in my building is high and the expectation on teachers is high, I do hope I'm doing a good job. The part I don't like is that feeling in my stomach that I don't know what I am doing, the self-doubt and the uncertainty. That is what is holding me back. I don't have the confidence I used to have- I can't walk around knowing I know my stuff. For now- faking it will have to do and maybe if I pretend enough I might be able to convince someone else I know what I'm doing too :)

Life is crazy busy with little time for blogging these days. I'm busy with my family, work, courses, and house work. It is nice to know this blog is here waiting when I have time, but it certainly has slipped down on the list of priorities. (I know you all understand that) I don't have time to read blogs or comment. I have been skimming facebook instead because it is much faster.

So I'm rambling which is a good sign it is time to stop typing and go accomplish something.....

An Unexpected Compliment!

2009-09-16T21:21:00.003-04:00

Today I got the shock of my life! When I picked the kids up from their sitter today, she told me she wished she had 6 Rileys! WOW!!! As a teacher, I have said to a parent, I wish I had more of your child. I have used that line. I have expected to hear it about Ashlyn. Riley was not the one I thought we would be hearing this about. I was shocked but PROUD! I am glad that my little man behaves for her! (now to convince him to behave for me!)

Still Here

2009-09-15T21:16:00.002-04:00

I'm still here. Just busy. I probably need a career change because I am not feeling like I can handle teaching and my family. I stink at all my 'jobs' these days and wish I had a job that didn't require so much outside of my work day time. I just want to be able to come home and focus on my family.

In other new- even the internet is mocking me these days! For work we had the option to do n online wellness profile (for reimbursement). So I did it. It told me I need to manage my stress and exercise! So now I have the stinking computer telling me what I already know, but adding to my stress because I can't find time to exercise.

I keep having this dream/nightmare - the one where all my kids fail the state testing......

Is it too early to retire?

The Ants Go Maching Two By Two

2009-09-06T21:17:00.002-04:00

I've noticed that the bug population seems to be a bit higher than usual this year. I'm not sure why that is....or maybe it is just that all the bugs are living at my house so I think there more bugs this year. But, I'm certainly fighting ants more than usual. I don't know if it is because it has been so wet or what. All I know is I am frustrated. Don't get me wrong- my house is not spotless. I have two kids and that means crumbs and stickiness. But I do clean the house- I feel like my house is at least clean enough to not draw ants. Yet, ants we have. Yuck!

I'm not sure how much blogging - or blogging of worth- will take place in the next couple of days/weeks. Adjusting to being back at school has been more time consuming than I realized. I am enjoying the age level of my new grade-but it is still a new grade and that means a learning curve for me while I adjust and figure out what I am doing. I only cried twice the first week- so it must be going okay :)

Atkins

2009-09-01T08:48:00.000-04:00

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Atkins and received samples to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Like most people, I think about my weight. I try different things to control and maintain a healthy weight. I've heard of the Atkins diet and I know people who have tried it. But I had never had any of their brand of products before. I was lucky enough to try the Penne Pasta and the All Purpose Baking Mix.

One of the problems I have with diets is that I don't know what to make or eat and still stick with a diet. I hate to feel like I am dieting so that makes it harder for me too. I want to eat all my favorites and still lose weight. Atkins has a Cuisine line of products to help me do just that!

Atkins' new All Purpose Baking Mix and Penne Pasta come packed with fiber, are low in sugar, and, of course, fit perfectly into a low-carb lifestyle. Plus, they make cooking and baking easy. And, when you try them with one of Atkins' recipes like Penne with Broccoli and Tomato-Cream Sauce or Rich Chocolate Brownies, you won't feel the slightest bit guilty about indulging.

To celebrate the launch of these new products, Atkins has announced an online recipe contest where you can share your own recipe featuring the All Purpose Baking Mix or Penne Pasta and win great prizes. Recipes can be submitted to atkins.com by September 30, 2009.

My family loved the Penne Pasta - the kids even ate it right up! The baking mix was a great way to make pancakes for breakfast. We also made cookies, brownies, bread, biscuits...the list could go on and on. There are so many choices with the All Purpose Baking Mix that I could hardly decide what to make. I loved that I could try all my favorites and still have it fit within a healthy lifestyle!

First Day

2009-08-31T20:55:00.004-04:00

All around it was a pretty good day. Gary had a good day as principal with students. Ashlyn LOVED school and Riley did well without her at the sitter. I made it through my first day of 3rd grade. It all went fast and I'm exhausted. But it went well. Ashlyn did not do as well at soccer. She got 'sad' and pulled away/wouldn't participate. Finally after lots of encouragement and the promise of a slushie, she did get back out there and pracitce with her team. She had lots of fun then and said on the way home that she really had fun at soccer. At least the last 15 minutes of it :)

Here she is posing with Riley- of coure he wanted in on the action.

Ready to head out the door

She wanted to show off her shoes

getting off the bus at school

ready to walk to her classroom!

not enjoying soccer practice

more soccer....

The Big Day

2009-08-30T11:40:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is quite the day around here. I head back to work for my first day as a 3rd grade teacher and met my class for the first time. Ashlyn goes to her first day of Kindergarten. She also has her first day of soccer. Riley will have his first day of day care with his sister gone part of the day. And Gary has his first day as principal with students. So.....there just might be some anxiety in my belly right now and I just might be on the verge of tears on and off throughout the day. The good news- I am the only one feeling this way. The bad news- tomorrow is coming whether I like it or not. I feel very unready this year. But Ashlyn seems to be very excited and ready. I also have the best principal ever! He is personally going to cover my class so that I can leave to see Ashlyn get off the bus at her school. He is big on family and basically made this as easy and guilt free as possible for me. For that, I am very grateful. I just wish I felt more settled and ready to go- I hate feeling uneasy and having all this anxiety and worry. I wish it would just go away.

Hopefully I have my head on straight tomorrow morning and remember to get some pics of Ashlyn before we head out the door. And as she gets off her bus in the afternoon at her school. And at her soccer pracitce. She is growing so big! I'm one proud momma- and those tears you might see from me? Just ignore those- it is mostly pride and maybe just a bit of sadness.

BrainFuel

2009-08-27T15:34:00.000-04:00

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of BrainFuel and will receive an insulated lunch bag from California Innovations to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

As a teacher, one of the hardest things is getting the students back into the swing of things - all kids slide back a bit over the summer and it takes some time to get them back to the point where they ended the previous year. Naturally, the sooner you can recover that ground, the sooner you can move on with the new learning. Therefore, helping each child reach their maximum potential.

One thing all of us wants for our children is to give them that edge to succeed and be the best that they can be. Thanks to BrainFuel, that may be a bit easier than you would think! BrainFuel is designed to mazimize our children's learning potential. It aims to help take learning to the next level.

Key changes in diet, exercise, and sleep can all enhance cogitive abilities. I know I feel more alert and on when I am well rested or have been eating well. So it would make sense that our children would be this way also. BrainFuel offers sections for you to explore:
Brain Food
Brain Health
Brain Games
And for us moms, there is Brain Forum- discuss what works and what doesn't with our kids during the school year

I checked out the site and I particularly like these pieces:
• Explanations for our kids in answer to their complaints, "Why vitamins?!": "The brain is the greediest organ in your body – greedier than the spleen or stomach, even greedier than the heart" and other "why?!" questions.
• Challenging games for kids from Lumosity.com, designed to promote quicker thinking, better concentration, and improved memory.
• Recipes that give your kids the right balances of carbs and protein, and help understanding those complicated nutritional labels.

But, hey, don't take my word for it. Go check out BrainFuel for yourself. And be sure to let me know what you liked best about it!

It's Back

2009-08-25T13:30:00.002-04:00

Summer vacation is over- tomorrow (Wednesday) I officially head back to work. Some of the days were long, but summer seems to have flown right by. I'm half sad and half ready to go back. I'm sad to leave my kiddos, I'm sad to have to wake up to the alarm clocks, I'm sad to send Ashlyn off to school without me, I'm sad to not be able to go do things with the kids, I'm sad to miss the peace of nap time. But I'm ready to try teaching 3rd grade (or at least I hope I am ready). I'm ready to see adults. I like the organizing and planning- I feel useful then. I'm still not sure how it will all work out with Gary's new hours, Ashlyn's school, Ashlyn's soccer, my hours, my classes I'm taking, and life in general. But we will figure it out and work on it as things come. Someone told me to be like a duck- let it roll off your back and go with the flow. So, I'm going to try that. If you don't hear from me for a while- it is because I'm kicking my legs to keep up with the ducks :)

Run For Your Lives!

2009-08-24T09:30:00.002-04:00

This morning I had the (not so) brilliant idea of getting up when Gary left for work. That would give me time to shower and get the kids up closer to what will be their normal wake up time and get them back into the school year routine. I don't know what I was thinking! A little over 2 hours later I'm thinking of putting them back to bed and having them wake up all over again so maybe this day can start again. Riley has cried for over half of the day so far- stopping only to hit Ashlyn or throw some toys across the room. He has been a bear to say the least. Now I know, you are going to say it is good to get them in the routine because come Wednesday we have to get up bright and early and get out the house. But, with the tantrum level being on high alert today- I think I would have rather left them in bed and just dealt with it on Wednesday. After all- like it or not, then he would have been with his sitter and maybe, just maybe, distracted by the 'new' (to him) toys and friends to play with. Anyone have a time machine? I'd like to go back and start this day over. It is going to have to wait though because Riley is currently taking every toy in the house apart and hiding the pieces. No worries- I am sure I will step on the pieces and then I will know just where they are :)

If you need me- I'm hiding in the corner, rocking back and forth. Just don't tell Riley where to find me ;)

Where Has The Time Gone?

2009-08-19T10:20:00.003-04:00

It as been a week since I posted- where did that week go? Thursday we went swimming and had dinner with someone Gary used to work with- the kids has lots of fun and the pizza was yummy! Friday we went to Hershey Park with friends- Gary was at work so I was glad for my friends to help me out with the kids. Saturay I worked in my classroom and tried to feel like I at least had a workable amount left to do. Sunday was church and cleaning. Monday was a hang around the house day and Ashlyn got her haircut for school. Tuesday we went to visit the new baby sitter in the am, swimming with a girl Ashlyn will go to Kindergarten with in the afternoon, and soda dumped on my head in the evening (if you follow me on facebook, you will know what I mean....if not, and you really care- let me know and I will explain). Today- hanging around the house and fighting with Riley. Ashlyn actually said "Mom when you are doing fighting Riley can you get me some milk" Oh and there is laundry and cleaning to do as well. And, in one short week- I officially head back to work for inservice days.....where did the summer go??

Stuck in the Middle

2009-08-12T14:06:00.002-04:00

Ashlyn is beyond ready to start going to school. She just cannot wait to set foot in that amazing building known as elementary school (wonder if I could muster up some of that excitement too!). We have started to go shopping for clothes for school for her- this is exciting to her too!

I noticed though that the poor girl is stuck in between sizes. She was in a 6x already but at 49 inches all, she no longer fits those length wise. They stop at 48 1/2 inches. The problem is that a size 7 starts at 51 inches. Uhm....what are you supposed to do wen you fall in those few between inches?? So obviously I am getting her the size 7 clothes and she will just have to roll them or deal with them long until next month when she grows into them. And, yeah, no need to point out that my dear daughter who has not even had one day of Kindergarten is already in a size 7 and wearing 'big girl' clothes! No need- hear me?

Tonight she and I are going to go out again and do some just mommy and Ashlyn shopping (I had Riley with me this morning). We need to pick up some more pants and the girl really wants some dresses (she does not get that from me!). We need to get some more tops for when it gets a bit cooler. And of course the sneakers- she has already asked for Sketchers. Really, asking for name brands already?? Oh my are we in trouble for the teen years!! :)

Following in Daddy's Footsteps!

2009-08-11T12:41:00.002-04:00

Here are each of my kids trying out a daddy role- Riley is wearing daddy's shoes around and trying to fill those big foot steps while Ashlyn is sitting at the head of the table! (**sniff sniff, my kids don't look like babies anymore!**)

Strange!

2009-08-10T08:07:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I am reminded that even in this great big world and no matter how much you separate yourself- sometimes it really is a small world!

Out of curiosity, we went to check out the class lists for Ashlyn's school. They post them on the office windows in early August- for the older students that is how they find out their teacher. Kindergarten gets letters so we knew Ashlyn was in pm Kindergarten. But I was curious who else was in her class.

Through the power of facebook, I have been able to see what some people I graduated from school are up to. One of the people had a distinct last name now.

As I looked over the Ashlyn's class lists, I recognized that last name. When we got home, I looked on facebook at the pictures of her kids- I recognized her daughter as someone I had during Kids Club at church. Because I had this girl at church, I knew she was the daughter of someone Gary played softball with. I knew the daughter and her father, but not the mother. Her mom is someone I graduated high school with!Here we were going to the same church and I didn't even know it!

I would have never made this connection without the power of the internet! Hopefully our girls will be friends and can have fun together- and hey, at least there will be a familiar face for me too!