Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Tarin Edward

My new nephew arrived this morning!!!! And he's as adorable as his favorite auntie: me! :) Okay, it's way past my bedtime, so I'm just posting a few pics and more info. will be posted later. Both mom & baby are fine & healthy. He was 8 pounds & 13 ounces, so nice & big! :)
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Monday, September 29, 2008

Stinky Monday!

Ok. I will honestly say that I did try to be positive about things today. It started off in anticipation of my new nephew arriving. Well, I guess the hospital was too busy to induce my sister, so they postponed it until tomorrow. Hmmm . . . I 'm wondering what would have happened should she have gone into labor today. Oh, well. He's certainly in no hurry to arrive.

And, I actually got to work early today (YEAH) and was trying to stay as positive as possible while working. I do LOVE my job, don't get me wrong. However, I had my evaluation meeting today and I got some very interesting, intriguing, quite thought-provoking news that I'm wrestling around with in my head right now, trying to figure out what to do with it. I can't say all that much about it, but I have a meeting in a few weeks time with more district personnel to learn more about this new, exciting, almost frightening news. And, I am trying to think positive (smile, smile).

Ok. . . . so, here's where the title of this post comes into play. In case you're just now joining my blog, you might check out my previous "monday" posts- needless to say- they speak for themselves. So, I was REALLY REALLY (honestly) trying to be positive today. Well, our sewer backed up this past weekend and today we got the bad news that we still are not sure what's going on, and will need to consult a few more people before we get it figured out. Hmmm . . . well, besides it being a little stinky down our drains right now, it's not as bad (or as stinky) as you might be thinking, but the potential of a major "mud" storm is looming should we run the dishwasher or washing machine or (lord forbid) take too long of a shower. I admit now, I've taken the use of water majorly for granted!!!!

As my boys get spit baths this evening and I'm wondering how short I can make my morning shower, I'm trying to make plans to accommodate having yet one more little toddler (potty-training never the less) running around here as we house my nephew while my sister is in the hospital. Plans are in the works for how to manage the HUGE amounts of laundry and dishes that should pile up and I'm feeling a bit ill-prepared for all this. A plumber is coming out in the next few days to verify our problem, but the one today said, yep, definitely a problem! UGH! So, we're praying diligently that things come back with positive results and it won't be all that costly. Ah, the joys of home-ownership. It's times like these that I miss having a landlord to call and have the problem fixed immediately.

So, I'm hoping for the best (see, I am trying to be positive) and praying for the worst to not come upon us as I am really looking forward to the next few days and meeting my new nephew. Until then, enjoy a few more k-state picture of my bubbly boy:
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He LOVES the Baby Einstein DVDs (I know "bad mom"!) and claps to the beat. It's adorable.
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Look at this concentration!
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Can you say ORNERY!!
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Fun with Cousins

Today's the day!!!!! I'm going to be an aunt again- very soon! Courtney is dropping Taige off at around 6:30am this morning and then headed to the hospital by 7am. I'm soooo excited to meet my new nephew (she thinks she's having a boy- or so the sonographer thinks!).

This past weekend, we got together with my cousin, aunts, and several of my 2nd cousins (my cousin had twins a few months after I had Zachary so they're almost the same age) and enjoyed some time making bread, playing and meeting the new addition to our large family (my cousin just had another baby about a month ago- so cute!).

At the pumpkin patch- we didn't really get to go through it because we were running short on time, but they did pick out some pumpkins for holiday decor (& of course photo props!). :)

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The cousins: (can you tell it was a k-state day?)

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Watching Aunt Laurie make the bread dough:

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Helping knead the dough:

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Each kid got their turn to knead the dough:

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I loved Zachary's face here:

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Sunday, September 28, 2008

Fall Pics of Malachi

Malachi is ALWAYS in such a good mood and I knew that since I missed his 6 month pictures, I really needed to get some fall pictures in. Well, we got a few before he was konked out for the afternoon and so I'll post those with my new fall background! It's such a fun time of year! Photobucket

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He really likes to bite his lower lip. Hopefully that will change when he gets teeth.

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Patty-cake & trying to stand with Daddy's help.

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I LOVE this picture:

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And, we're out! Before mommy could get some outdoors pictures to crop & play with! Maybe later!

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Car Wash

My van was a little dirty after the state fair trip. So, my boys decided to do a home-car-wash. And, although it was probably WAY more expensive than just a run-through wash because our town decided to jack up the water bills to their liking, it was still some QFT (quality family time) or actually daddy-time as I was supposed to be getting my homework done! Photobucket
Malachi supervised!
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Logan loved the suds.
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Finger-smudges!
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Isn't he precious?
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Had to get the hub caps cleaned too, or maybe those are the rims- I don't really know.

Then, Uncle Brady showed up just in time for a 2nd round of washing.

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Logan said, "Our car will be brand as new!"

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Friday, September 26, 2008

Mr. Sleepy

Aren't sleeping babies just the most precious thing ever!
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Monday Dejevu

Yes, I know the title is spelled wrong. It drives me nuts too, but right now, after the day I've had, I really don't care, alright! I've had a day of HELL and that's about putting it lightly. A lot of things came to light today and I'm really thinking over some things about people that have frustrated me today. I don't know. . . I thought last year was bad because I was pregnant and maybe a bit too sensitive, but I'm trying REAL hard to put things into perspective and analyze what's going on and why people act the way they do.

First of all, I am 'attacked' today by a teacher for something that was absolutely NOT my fault. I was involved, and I'll admit that because I was trying to help out in the absense of another teacher, but I've learned my lesson fast- DON'T STEP UP TO THE PLATE! Don't take initiative to cover other people's backs! Fend for yourself and avoid the backlash of ticked off (and rightfully so in a sense) educators. And, when I re-thought the situation and what REALLY happened, I realized that the blame fell almost completely on the child, yet it was a simple mistake. So, I made a mental note today about what to do and what not to do and I certainly know that in the future such bridge might be a bit singed and not as sturdy to cross as it could have been.

And, another thing that really frustrated me more than anything, not really ticking me off, but in a way, maybe. I wonder why people ask what I think about things if all they want to do is debate it! Seriously! I'm not going to say right or wrong! It's NOT for me to freakin judge. I DO have a strong opinion in my head about what I truly believe, but is it really worth the effort to debate the subject! I mean, things work differently for different people and I certainly don't deny that certain things are wonderful and great use for some while others find different methods. Just because I study and research, I will NEVER claim to know it all. I just know that I teach the BEST THAT I CAN with the knowledge that I have. Should I learn a new or better way of doing things in the future, I will certainly do that, based on the research and effectiveness with my students. So, I'm wondering what that was all about and why it was worth a 'debate'? Because, seriously, I doubt any of my opinions hold any water.

So it was a LONG LONG LONG day and I'm trying to jot this down to make notes. I told myself when I started teaching that should it get to the point that I can't be a great teacher, I need to take a break and pull myself away from it. In the spring, I'll look back and see what should be done to preserve my sanity as well as the good name of teaching. I just know that if I have one more day like today, I'm not sure I can handle it. Thank God for the children and the amazing power they possess to make me know that I choose teaching because of them- not the crud that goes along with the grown-up world of teaching.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Gearing up for Halloween

I found a few things in the dollar bins at Target (my almost favorite place ever to shop) and so, I put them on Malachi tonight for a few pictures. However, the baby hat was a little decieving or else Malachi has a larger than normal sized head! Had to take a picture of it though as I thought it was hilarious.
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He is patty-caking!
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Shawn picked the last giant pumpkin! And then he started taking pictures of Malachi without me!
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Malachi LOVED the grass,
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so much so that right after this picture, he took a nose dive.
So, we were done with pictures for awhile. Then the mosquitos got really bad (has anyone else noticed that lately?) So, we came inside to take a few more pictures before bedtime. In case you can't tell, his shirt says, "I love my Mummy!"
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