What The Heart Wants

Can you believe...

2011-09-08T13:09:00.000-05:00

that my tiny baby has grown into this beautiful, intelligent, strong-willed, very active almost toddler?!

Karleigh-10 months 1 week

Yes we're still very alive although very much different than the family you read about last year. A lot of changes have gone on in the past few months and blogging got lost in the shuffle. The time since Karleigh was born has been hectic, fast-paced, exhausting, and the most amazing times of our lives! Kevin is a fantastic daddy and I pray every day that I am a good enough mommy for this precious little thing!

As of the end of last school year I made the jump from workaholic high school business/technology teacher to stay at home mom! Well as much as a stay at home mom as I'll ever be...I'm actually working as a book keeper for our family business. I'm in the office 1 day a week and do a little work from home during nap time the rest of the week.

I have been keeping up with my blog reading though. I am proud to say that after 10 1/2 months, I'm still nursing Karleigh and while she nurses I'm able to read blogs on my iPhone! Most days it is the only time I'm on blogger, facebook, or twitter. Nursing was really rough during that last half of the school year but you'll have to wait to hear about that. It deserves a blog post all its own!

Truthfully, while I long to be an awesome blogger like Anna, Kim, Andrea, Becky, Bonnie, Carla, and many of the other blogs I read...it just isn't in the cards for me. I wish I had posts that go up everyday that have cute crafts and tasty recipes or just in general interesting topics. I struggle in finding time to write and in deciding what to say. Maybe someday...I'm going to try to start back slowly...maybe join a few memes that are going on around the blogworld.

We will see...as of right now I need to get busy...I'm feeding Lil Priss lunch, dinner is in the crockpot, I've got papers to gather for our accountant & loan officer, boxes to pack, and I need to get ready for our open house this weekend because as of next week we've bought a new house and are moving across town!

(quick pick taken from the car with my iPhone)

The very best...

2011-01-08T22:57:00.002-06:00

The very best Christmas present I received this year...

I love you little girl!!!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T16:12:00.001-06:00

Karleigh-Random 1st Month Pictures

2010-11-28T00:10:00.003-06:00

-Very first look at Momma 10/27/10

-Snuggling with Momma @ 1 day old 10/28/10

-1st Family photo (with a very tired & swollen momma) 10/28/10

-With Granny & Pops 10/28/10

-Sucking on her fingers 10/29/10

-Coming home from the hospital 10/29/10

-Milk Coma on your 1st Halloween. You went as the world's most beautiful baby girl!

-Old Man Face 11/1/10

-1st Sweet Smile (while sleeping) 11/3/10

-1st Nap in your crib (lasted 4 minutes! Ha!) 11/4/10

-Getting a sponge bath 11/7/10

-Napping in the bouncer 11/9/10
(Mom & Dad's 8th wedding anniversary!)

-Crazy Hair 11/9/10

-Kissing face aka FEED ME! 11/7/10

-Hobby Lobby with Mom & Granna 11/11/10

-Mad @ Momma 11/15/10

-Tummy Time 11/16/10

-Fun with Daddy 11/19/10

-"Praise Jesus & Pass the Taters!" 11/17/10

-"Okay...so you don't like the flower!" 11/17/10

-Napping with Pappaw 11/23/10

1 Month Old-November 27th, 2010

2010-11-27T13:46:00.004-06:00

Karleigh, you are 1 month old!

You are quickly changing right before my eyes! You had a very busy 1st month and actually made your very first out of town trip! 2 trips to be exact! You had lots of 1st this month...

1st restaurant excursion-Olive Garden with Granna

1st shopping trip-Target with Mom & Dad

1st Halloween

1st Real Bath
1st Thanksgiving

1st Diaper Rash-nothing bad but we discovered we need sensitive wipes!

1st professional photo session

Your umbilical cord finally fell off on sometime during the night of November 12th. You were 2 weeks & 3 days old and we were all so happy to be able to hold you and diaper you easier. You have the most adorable little belly button. It is a good thing that the cord fell off when it did because the next morning you did something that surprised everyone! You rolled over from you stomach to your back! Momma & Daddy were letting you try some tummy time now that we didn't have to worry about the cord but you didn't like it. You starting pitching a fit by lifting your head up and looking side to side while screaming. You managed to get your feet up off the ground and the next thing we new you had thrown your whole body over! We were so surprised! We had known you were strong but didn't realize you were that strong. You had been lifting & holding your head up for short times since we were in the hospital but that was incredible.

Since your umbilical cord was off, we were finally able to give you your first real bath. We brought your pink bathtub to Granna's house. Mommy, Daddy, & Granna gave you the bath and you seemed to really enjoy it. You relaxed down in the warm water while we washed your front but when we went to wash your back you tried to stand up in the tub! Afterwards we wrapped you up and you snuggled with your Pappaw.

Your first out of town trip was a quick trip to Midland on November 19^th, 2010. You were 3 weeks old. Momma needed to get a few things for nursing that they don't have in our town. You did fantastic and let momma and daddy get their errands done and even eat lunch at On the Border. You did manage to completely blow out a brand new outfit while you sat in your car seat during lunch. We quickly changed you in the back seat & then went to Babies R Us where I believe we bought the whole store! We just want you to have everything and have to hold ourselves back sometimes. You did so great during the shopping trip that momma & dad made probably the last spontaneous decision of their life & decided at the last minute to go to the Drive-in theater! You saw your very first movie that night, Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows. You mostly snuggled with momma and nursed during the movie but at least you attended! Lol

You’re second out of town trip was to Abilene for your 1^st Thanksgiving! You met tons of Daddy’s relatives at Grandma Wanda’s house during lunch and later at Bennie & Jackie’s house for dinner. Everyone just doted over you and said how pretty you were. That evening got a little rough when you got a belly ache. You were very unhappy and it took momma a good while to get you calmed down. This was the beginning of several fussy evenings but it doesn't happen every day.

On Nov. 27th, we had a family get-together at Granna's house with some of momma's extended family. You were able to meet several of momma's cousins. Most came to see you at the hospital when you were born but this is the first time that they were able to hold you.

You were so cute all dressed up with a big flower on your head but when Granna went to take you out of your carseat she discovered that your diaper had blown out everywhere! While we were trying to clean you up you decided you needed to tee-tee and it ran all the way up to your neck! It was quite a traumatic experience for your Granna but your Momma just laughed! I had already been up to my elbows in several of your poopy diapers!

At your 1 month check up we were so surprised by your stats!

You weighed 8 lbs 2 oz and were 21 inches long! Momma could tell you had grown because you were actually beginning to fit in the newborn diapers! Your starting to fill out the newborn clothing now. We've had a few rough evening where you've been very fussy. Dr. Sawyer believes you have a bit of colic and recommended we try to give you an ounce of chamomile tea in a bottle. (BTW: You don't like the tea. lol) It was also time for us to try and introduce breastmilk in a bottle so hopefully you'll switch back & forth between breastmilk in a bottles & nursing while momma goes back to work. Daddy gave you your first bottle & you did great! You latched right on and sucked it down quickly.

You still nurse the majority of the time but we usually give you one feeding a day with the bottle so you'll stay used to it. You also like to pick your head up and slam it back down on momma's shoulder when you decide it is time to eat. You're not very patient when you decide it is dinner time. lol You're still eating about 15 minutes each side every 4 hours. Sometimes you will decide you need to eat more often during the day but not much.

Some Bullet Points:

You love the little travel swing at Granna's house but HATE the nice big one that we have at home! Swinging is the only way you will let momma take showers most days.
You still wake up at night to eat about every 4 hours. One night you slept for 6 hours straight and we were so surprised! Momma felt like a new woman after that much sleep!
You have smiled several times but mostly while sleeping. You have the most beautiful smile and I can't wait until you smile at me someday.
You're just now growing into the newborn size clothing we had for you.
You wear Pampers Sensitive diapers because they are small enough & soft enough to go around your little legs and keep everything inside.
You and the puppies have been getting along well. Y'all all kind of ignore each other at this point. Reese gets a little jealous because your in Mommy's lap all of the time but she sits beside us & snuggles while you nurse. Tootsie likes to lay next to your pack n play sometimes while you sleep.
You still only take the paci on very rare occasions. Usually it just makes your more mad.
You have worn a bit of a bald spot on the back of your head. You like to throw your head back & forth when you fuss so it has slowly gotten bigger.
The birthmark on your back has gotten a little redder & larger like Dr. Sawyer said it would. He said not to worry about it but I can't help it. Dr. Sawyer is very pleased with your growth and is so helpful answering all of mommy's questions.
You're hands still are always up in the air or by your face! You sometimes lace your fingers and hold your hands under your chin. It is so cute!
Your funny faces just crack us up!

We have enjoyed having you in our lives so much! This first month has been wonderful and we cannot wait to see how much better it will get! We never dreamed that we would have such a beautiful, sweet little girl and are so blessed! I love you baby girl...

Love,
Mom

2 Weeks Old-November 10th, 2010!

2010-11-10T14:57:00.002-06:00

Karleigh, you are 2 weeks old! I cannot believe how fast time is flying! You are getting so big! I'm going to try and update your growth monthly but we had a doctor appointment this week so I wanted to get a few things written down. Not to mention that these weeks have been a little sleep deprived and I'm still recovering from the surgery so I want to make sure I remember this.

At 2 weeks you weighed 6 lbs even and were 19 1/2 inches long! A whole inch in 2 weeks! I wish I could grow like that! You're still pretty small in terms of most babies. You were only in the 3rd percentile for weight but Dr Sawyer says that your weight gain was fantastic and he was very pleased!

Most newborn clothing and diapers are still very large on you. You only have a handful of outfits you can wear and those are actually PJs but you still look adorable! You had your first upset tummy at 3 days old when mommy's milk finally came in. It took you a little while to get used to digesting the milk so we had our first completely sleepless night that night.

Your first trip out of the house was on Halloween. We went back to the hospital for a bilirubin check for your jaundice which went well! Then we went to Granna & Pappaw's house to visit. Pappaw & Daddy passed out candy to all the trick or treaters while we all just stared in awe of how pretty you are. Uncle Spud & Alicia came over too. Uncle Spud just loves you! He even willingly changed your diaper! You get lots of attention!

At 10 days old we had your first professional pictures taken at Sears in the mall. You sleep almost all the time right now (except at night! ha!) and during the pictures was no different. We did manage to get a hand full of pictures with your eyes open by turning off the lights before snapping a shot. You thought it was a very mean trick!

You are breastfeeding like a champ. You eat regularly but slowly...15 minutes on each side every 4 hours which is pretty nice for momma. Most babies your age demand food much more often than that. I do have to keep you awake during feedings by undressing you or tickling your feet because nursing makes you very sleepy. It takes a while to feed, burp, and change you so at night we only sleep in about 2 1/2 hours increments.

You're having a little trouble differentiating day time from night time. You and momma have spent several nights in the living room watching infomercials. You don't mind your bouncy seat though you haven't really spent much time in it. You're a little spoiled and get held most of the time. You really don't care for your swing but your Granna thinks that will change soon because your momma loved to swing so we'll see how that goes.

On your 2 week birthday you're Uncle Spud introduced you to a pacifier so we've been calling it your "Spunkle." You seem kinda indifferent to it really. You'll suck for a little bit and then spit it out. Sometimes you love it...sometimes you won't take it at all. It is really hit or miss. You definitely have your own opinion on how things should go around here! Momma tries to swaddle you at night time but you bust your hands out every single night! Your hands are always up next to your face and head and we're pretty sure you did that while in mommy's tummy too. That is why we had such a hard time getting good sonogram pictures of you!

You sleep in your pack n play in Momma & Daddy's room. Momma likes to hear you breathe at night not to mention it makes night feedings much easier.

You try a little tummy time everyday but you really don't like it and you really don't like your Poly vi sol vitamin that Dr. Sawyer wants you to take. You spit the majority of it out and make terrible faces!

You've had lots of visitors during your first 2 weeks...Granna, Pappaw, Uncle Spud, Alicia, Granny, Pops, Brittany, Anna, Daisy, Dave & Angie, Doyle & Wanda, Mammaw & Guy, and the Sims family. And those are just the people since we've been home...it doesn't count the tons of people who were at the hospital. Everyone has different opinions on who you look like. You have lots of hair just like I did when I was a baby but it looks like you will have blue eyes like Daddy's. You make the funniest faces and sometimes they look just like your daddy's faces. I think you will favor him a lot but might have my nose. Everyone says that you are just the most beautiful baby they have ever seen and I totally agree! :)

Momma has been recovering well from the C-section. She just has a hard time getting out of bed and rolling over. She lost 25 lbs by your 1 week birthday and then a total of 34 lbs by your 2 week birthday! That was all of the weight she gained while pregnant with you!

Sweet girl, you are your mom and daddy's pride and joy! We are over the moon in love with everything you do!

I love you baby girl,

Mom

She's Here!

2010-11-06T21:49:00.000-05:00

Kevin & I would like to announce the birth of our daughter...

Karleigh Michelle

October 27th, 2010

5 lbs 12 oz

18 1/2 inches long

We are thrilled, exhausted, & completely smitten!

Baby Update 10.23.10

2010-10-23T23:00:00.002-05:00

Doctor went well on Friday. Karleigh is a little on the small side according to her sonograms. This could be due to genetics (I was 6 lbs 7 oz at birth) or it could be due to the hypertension. Dr W believes it will be best for her to go ahead and arrive since my blood pressure keeps spiking. He has scheduled me to be induced next week. I'm panicking. As excited as I am to finally meet Karleigh...I'm scared. I do not want anything to happen to her. I would cherish your prayers as Kevin and I get ready to meet our little girl.

I've seen this little blurb posted on others blogs before but I didn't remember it until just now! I wish I would've done this the whole pregnancy but at least I squeezed it in at the last minute.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 37 Weeks & 4 days
Size of baby: Over 19 inches (A stalk of swiss chard?)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 29 lbs
Maternity Clothes: A whole closet full of them and I will probably be wearing them long into 2011.
Gender: A Girl! After 10 sonograms...please be correct!
Movement: She thumps and rolls constantly. I've noticed her movement slows down when my BP gets really high and that upsets me.
Sleep: in 1 to 1 1/2 hour increments. It is starting to show on my face...apparently I "look tired!" ha!
What I miss: Having feeling in my hands & fingers and being able to grip things.
Cravings: Breakfast foods, grapes, peaches, ice cream
Symptons: Metallic taste and all day sickness in the beginning. Swelling, carpal tunnel from swelling, heartburn.

Best Moment this week: Getting to spend some down time with my family!

One last thing...Happy Birthday to my beautiful Mother Patti! The most beautiful grandmother to be around! I love you Mom!

Week 36 & 37

2010-10-21T21:11:00.000-05:00

Well I guess I better update with the latest news! I'm at home on modified bed rest now...have been since last Friday. Blood pressure is still running up and down but at my Thursday appt on the 14th my BP was the highest it has ever been. 171/107. They also found protein in my sample at this appointment so I once again had to make a trip over to labor & delivery for testing for toxemia (pre-eclampsia). I was there for a couple of hours before they ran more tests and decided that while I was at risk for the beginning stages of toxemia...it wasn't full blown toxemia yet. He allowed me to go home but not back to work. He said that my students were making my blood pressure go too high! ha I could have told him last weeks ago! lol

I'm on modified bed rest which means I'm allowed up and about but do need to put my feet up for a good portion of the day. This enabled me to get a few last things ready for my sub and on Monday I was able to spend 1st & 2nd period getting her settled with the kids. I've been working on thank you cards for shower gifts and did take a short trip to the nail salon for a manicure and pedicure. It was actually the most relaxed that I've been in weeks. I've been packing my bag and her diaper bag. I found the most adorable coming home outfit for her!

Dr. W had me come back in on Tuesday which was 37 weeks. He once again found protein in my sample but it was still a small enough amount not to have to do any emergency surgery. He decided that the protein levels combined with my BP going up and down indicated that Karleigh needs to be delivered at no later than 38 weeks. Her sonogram on Tuesday showed that she is still growing and doing well but he feels that after next week it would be risky for both her and I. I go into his office tomorrow for another appointment and then we are going to schedule an induction of some type for Tuesday the 26th. That is of course if my blood pressure doesn't cause an emergency and she doesn't come on her own before that. I don't believe she will but you never know. He will decide what type of delivery we will have (natural or c-section) after he checks me fore dilation on Friday. I would prefer a natural delivery w/meds over a c-section just because of recovery time but I will listen to whatever he thinks is best. He really has been doing a good job with us. Kevin and I are very grateful to him for that.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole idea that she should be here in less than a week. I've kinda spent the whole pregnancy like an ostrich with my head buried in the sand...ignoring the fact that delivery will get here and it will hurt. I'm scared of the pain, scared of my health failing, and most of all...scared that something will happen to Karleigh during delivery. I hear horror stories everyday of brand new mothers seizing or having aneurysms right after birth and it terrifies me. Not because I'm afraid of death but more because I'm afraid of all that I will miss. I've spent all my life dreaming of becoming a mother and now it is so close...I'm afraid it will all be taken away instantly.

I hope and pray that I will be a good patient next week and a good mother as soon as Karleigh arrives. I cannot wait to see her little face! She has become very very very strong in the last few weeks and I watch her punch and kick in my belly regularly. It took awhile for others to be able to see the movement due to my large size but now it can be seen clearly. I made a few videos so I can remember what it is like. As excited as I am when I think about Karleigh being here in the world...I'm already starting to miss feeling her in my tummy and she isn't out yet! I love being able to feel her and have her with me at all times and I know when I have to leave her sometime it will just break my heart.

Well I'm off to get ready for bed! I don't sleep much at all anymore...usually in hour to hour & half long bursts between my bladder size, hips hurting, back hurting, hands going numb, or congestion. Ah...the lasts wonderful weeks of pregnancy! As painful & scary as some of these last weeks have been I wouldn't change it for the world and I know I will miss being pregnant sometimes. I'll update again tomorrow after we hear final plans from Dr. W and to post a very rare photograph that was captured the other day. It will definitely be something you see only once on this blog!

Week 35

2010-10-05T00:01:00.003-05:00

I know...I know it's been a while. Things went just as I feared and once school got started I didn't do anything but work and sleep for several weeks...which is actually where the trouble began.

On September 7th, Karleigh had been cooking for 31 weeks. I've been really struggling at school with huge classes so I stayed late that night to grade papers. I didn't get finished until around 8 pm. I've been checking my blood pressure periodically since I began swelling and when I got home that night...it was high. 140s/90s. My normal is 120s/70s. I went to bed and tried laying on my left side but it still stayed pretty high. Early that morning I called my nurse practitioner and she wanted me to come in before the clinic opened. When I got there it was even higher and they made me stay around for a while checking it periodically. It never went down and at one point got as high as 160/110 which landed me in labor & delivery. I was given an emergency sonogram to check on the baby along with lab work and kept for observation. Finally my blood pressure went down... but not before I was assigned to a new doctor and given 2 steroid shots to help the baby's lungs mature. I was put on bed rest for 5 days and assigned daily bp readings.

The bed rest was good for my swelling, which went down significantly. I had an appointment with my new doctor the next Monday and I had lost 4 lbs of fluid from the swelling over the weekend. My new doctor allowed me to go back to work but I was put on weekly dr appointments and weekly sonograms to check the baby's growth. I actually ended up back at the doctor late that week because I picked up some kind of virus at school. The steroids lowered my immune system and I had some flu like symptoms along with a weird heat rash on my upper arms and chest area. Thankfully it went away but it was pretty perplexing at the time after all we had been through that week.

I did ok at work for about another week and half before my blood pressure went back up again. This time the doctor put me on a beta blocker called labetalol to lower my blood pressure. I didn't want to take it but they said it would be better for both me and the baby to get my blood pressure down. It has helped significantly. At times it has even lowered my bp down into the 120s/70s. It helps take the swelling back off of my feet at night time and my hands are doing much better. The carpal tunnel had gotten so bad that I had been unable to turn door handles and it was keeping me up at night. I still have a bit of numbness in my finger tips but it really is much better.

The weekly sonos and dr appts have required me to take 1/2 days off at work which was disappointing but I think it has been good for me. Kevin and I have been getting used to my new doctor. He is very nice but doesn't quite dote on us like my nurse practitioner did.

I had my weekly appointment yesterday afternoon and it didn't go quite as well. I was rushing to get to the dr and when I arrive my bp was 160/96. The doctor wasn't thrilled because combined with the bp...my swelling came back significantly over the weekend. He was happy that I'm still not showing any signs of protein in my urine which would indicate pre-eclampsia. At this point the diagnosis is just gestational hypertension and he believes the bp will go back down after delivery. He ordered some blood work and I went to my weekly sonogram afterward. He also has put me on twice weekly appointments now. I have to go back again on Thursday afternoon.

Karleigh was rated an 8 out of 8 at her growth scan this week which is fantastic. We have had the same sweet lady sonographer for the last 3 weeks and she remembers us each time. I think it is because Karleigh is head down and likes to sit with her hands holding her feet above her head...3 times now she has been sitting like that. At 33 weeks the sonogram said that she was already over 5 lbs. Next monday we'll get another weight check for her. I'm anxious to see how much more she has grown because in the last 2 weeks she has done something that I didn't think was possible....I now have MORE stretch marks. I didn't think it was possible for a belly as flabby & stretched out as mine to get more stretch marks but I now have a train track of stretch marks running around my midsection. She has gone from giving sweet, surprising kicks and rolls to strong, painful jabs and thumps so I know she is getting stronger. My bp had gone back down by the time I left the dr around 4 pm and has done well since.

My first real run in with Braxton Hicks contractions was on the night after I received the 2nd steroid shot. They lasted for several hours that night. I don't really know when a contraction begins or ends. I don't feel a real definite start or stop. I'll just all of the sudden notice that my belly is tight and has been a little uncomfortable. I've had them on and off periodically since then and last night I had quite a few. I wouldn't call them painful but definitely uncomfortable and they become more and more uncomfortable as the weeks go on.

That is the enormous pregnancy update for the last few weeks. I think I've covered most everything health & pregnancy related. I'm getting more and more excited and more and more terrified as the weeks go by. I pray that I will be able to deliver this adorable baby girl safely and be a fantastic parent. My parents were fantastic so I just keep hoping I'll be as good as they were. I know Kevin is going to be a amazing dad...I hope I don't disappoint anyone.

Baby Shower & Nursery

2010-10-04T20:52:00.004-05:00

Kevin and I had several wonderful women throw us an amazing baby on last saturday, October 2nd, 2010. We didn't expect a large turn out so my mom offered to have the shower at her new house. We have had one other family get together there this year and it worked fine for about 20-25 people. My aunts, Sheila and Jonelle, my cousin Khanni, and my brother's girlfriend Alicia hosted the shower and it was beautiful! They got decorations in shades of light and dark purple to match Karleigh's bedding and had an adorable lady bug cake made by a fantastic bakery in town. We were completely surprised when over 50 people showed for the shower! It was quite packed in my mom's house and it took Kevin and I almost the entire time to open presents. We received many nice things and cannot believe that so many people took the time out to come see us. I was very shocked to see people come in all the way from Brady, Midland, and Abilene.

We received a swing, a bouncer, a play gym, diapers, wipes, clothes, shoes, bows, stuffed animals, books, blankets, towels, wash clothes, bottles, spoons, suction bowls, picture frames, bibs, socks, and giftcards. We did receive several duplicates and will have to return some things but that will allow us to get several of the things we are still missing. Morris & Judy got us the play yard that we wanted. Karleigh is going to sleep in the play yard for the first several months at least. We chose the Chicco Lullaby LX play yard in Fuego. I really loved the red and decided that it would work for both girls or boys. My parents got us the Chicco Cortina travel system which includes the stroller and carseat. We finally have a spot for Karleigh to ride in the car and to sleep if she comes now!

I do have some pictures and will be back to update this post with pictures as soon as I receive a few more from people who are supposed to email me. I do have a baby bump and some people who have seen me before say its very obvious but I still do not look pregnant to everyone. Many strangers are very surprised when they realize that I'm pregnant and not just fat. One of the penalties I pay for being overweight before baby I guess.

Karleigh's room is not complete although it is getting very close. Paint is on the walls, her furniture is setup, her glider rocker arrived, and we've even attempted to hang a few things on the walls. The letters of her name that I painted are currently hanging but still need to be rehung. They slant pretty obviously up and to the right. We still have several room decorations at a store here in town that we are going to go get such as the mobile for her crib, a lamp, a diaper stacker...etc. I love to go sit in the glider in her room and just look around. It makes me so happy. I can't believe it is getting so close to Karleigh's arrival!!!

Week 28-A Chinese Cabbage AKA The Third Trimester

2010-08-17T20:59:00.000-05:00

AKA week 26 & 27 catch up....oops!

Well weeks 26 & 27 flew by without any big news in the baby incubating department. Karleigh kicks and rolls constantly and loves to wake me up at night. I have been having bouts of numbness in my hands & arms at night for a few weeks now. It isn't painful but pretty annoying. I have been frantically making last minute preparations for the beginning of school. We finally got out our house put back into somewhat of a working order after we dismantled it AGAIN for painting. Kevin and his parents did all the painting while I mostly stayed out of the way. I spent the time at my dining table working on a painting project for baby girl's room.

The nursery looks so cute and the color we put in our bedroom and the guest bedroom looks very good. Eventually the rest of the house will be the same color as those 2 rooms. Baby girl's room is the prettiest color of beige vanilla. Sounds plain but it is so warm and welcoming. After I finish deciding exactly where the furniture will be placed then we are stenciling some big deep faux finish eggplant purple flowers in a few spots around the room. I cannot wait! We also finally unboxed her bedroom furniture. It is darker than I expected it to be but still looks beautiful...especially against the wall color. It is actually looking like a nursery in there now!

I'm posting a sneak peek of her furniture and of the painting project I worked on...

I painted some wooden letters of her name to hang on the wall. I just set the letters on the shelf of her dresser for now until I decide exactly where they will go. The color is distorted but they are a deep purple eggplant purple with green edges. I had the paint matched exactly to her bedding. This is a horrible picture taken with my iPhone but I wanted to give you a peek. I will be taking better pictures of her room as we progress but right now I can't. At this point there are no curtains or mini blinds hanging in her room so the glares are terrible when I tried to take pics! We took the old blinds down when we painted and are waiting for new ones. Budget blinds is coming out to install new blinds in every window of our house on Friday. They will be custom hung faux wood blinds and I think they will really freshen up the inside and outside look of the house.

As for week 28 and the third trimester...they have arrived with a bang! I started back to work at the end of last week for inservice. All was going well except for the fact that I sweat like a pig constantly that is until yesterday...

Yesterday morning Kevin found me crying in the bathroom when I was getting ready for work. Apparently my feet swelled during the night and none of my work shoes would fit. I finally managed to find a pair of stretchy black flip flops but not before I had a complete breakdown. I talked to my doc and she recommended more water, no salt, and to prop my feet up whenever I can. My blood pressure was about as perfect as it could get at 124/76. She isn't really worried yet and believes it is mostly due to the heat. My town has actually broken a historical record right now with the highest number of consecutive days of temperatures above 100 degrees. We're on day 19. Of course it would be like this the summer that I'm pregnant. By the time I returned home last night my feet looked like logs. It was pretty disturbing. Today they did a little better. I was actually able to wear my work shoes but I did have cankles when I got home. The swelling settled all around the top of the shoe but it still wasn't as bad as the day before. I guess I will be looking for support hose this weekend...yay...just another piece of clothing I can sweat to death in.

I'm getting so excited to meet this little girl but getting more and more terrified of delivery. Gotta go through the bad to get to the good I guess... :)

Week 25-A Rutabaga

2010-07-27T12:39:00.000-05:00

25 Weeks
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

My Week
-Was pretty uneventful but that is fine...no news is sometimes good news!
-Baby girl kicks constantly and regularly...loves to keep me up at night!
-I sleep in about 2 hour increments between back & hip pain, bathroom breaks, and my hands going numb.
-I finally started "showing" this week in something besides my ultra prego wear shirts. lol Not like a normal women of course but definitely different for my belly.
-Some of my extended family came into town from Katy, TX last week. We had a little get together at my mom's house and it was quite fun.
-I have finally picked a paint color for Karleigh's room. My in laws are coming in this weekend to help us paint and set up her furniture! Slowly but surely my house is getting put back together!
-I'm soooooo not ready for school to start! So much to do, so little time...

E-Mealz

2010-07-26T16:00:00.001-05:00

I been desperately trying to wrap my head around the fact that this coming school year is going to be drastically different than years before. I will just barely be getting into the swing of things then BAM! Here comes baby and being gone for up to 12 weeks. As soon as I'm getting into a pattern of being home with baby then BAM! Back to work I'll go and things will be completely turned on end. While I couldn't be more thrilled...I'm also terrified. Worried about how we'll manage to juggle work, baby, household responsibilities....I know that millions of women manage to do all of that plus more every single day but it doesn't make the worry that I will be a complete failure go away.

I've been planning, organizing, simplifying...anything that I possibly can trying to get as much done before school starts as possible. I listen to Dave Ramsey on the radio and have heard him recommend a website called E-Mealz several times. It is a website that sends out weekly meal plans with recipes and shopping lists customized to specific diets (like low-fat, Weight Watchers, Vegetarian, etc) and even specific stores. (It will tell you exactly where to find the ingredients on the shelves at Wal-Mart!) It costs $5 a month. It is recommended by Dave Ramsey and right now there is a discount coupon code "dave" that saves $2.50 off a 3 month subscription. (I used the coupon code and it DOES work!!!) I'm going to give it a try and see how it goes. Maybe I'll get some new recipes and it will get us out of a rut so we'll eat something different every once in a while.

When I was working at the private school I had time to design meal plans for myself but I always tended to choose the same kind of meals over and over so I'm hoping these plans will make me branch out and try a few new recipes (ie: veggies) that I wouldn't have tried before! I'm about to download my first meal plan! I'm so excited and really hoping this will take the huge headache out of asking...."What's for dinner?"

Weeks 22, 23, and 24

2010-07-20T12:41:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone! Well after a whirlwind few weeks we're finally back at home and I finally have my laptop back. Kevin and I have been furiously trying to put our house back in order and purge mountains of junk that have compiled over the years. On top of that...this has been one of the busiest times of year for Kevin at work while he was trying to finish up the summer 1 semester. I'm very proud to say that Kevin completed his biology class so now he has only 1 elective course and is finished with his associates! Yay!

While it seems that we've been all over the state of Texas in recent weeks it isn't true. What is true...is that this baby girl has been all over my stomach! I haven't used our doppler in quite a while because she moves so much! I can almost predict her movements now! I'm going to list milestones from the last couple of weeks so I don't forget these precious moments!

Week 22-A Spaghetti Squash
-Major Milestone on July 6th-This was the day that I felt our baby girl kick my hand while it was sitting on my stomach! It was amazing and terrifying at the same time! It was not a tiny kick but a strong, hard thump that pushed my hand off of my stomach. Poor thing probably was terrified because it shrieked when I felt it! I immediately called Kevin and my mom. I love feeling her thump and roll all of the time now.
-About 2 days later Kevin had the opportunity to feel her kick for the first time. We were using the doppler to hear her heartbeat when she began to repeatedly kick the doppler probe. I told Kevin to hurry so he placed his hand on my huge sticky belly covered in doppler lube and was able to feel her move several times! It was such a neat experience!

Week 23-A large Mango
-During this week I began to feel her movements more regularly. I can almost predict when she'll be up and going sometimes. She definitely begins moving after I eat any meals and loves to move around during the night.
-I'm really not sleeping well lately between bi-hourly bathroom trips, the never ending congestion in my head, and now dealing with my hands. My hands are "falling asleep" or losing circulation quite often during the night now. I'm going to ask my doctor about it at the next appointment. Since I'm up so much during the night I feel her acrobatics so much at night.
-We took our first trip away from home this week when I had to travel to Dallas for a teaching conference. We drove down on Monday and returned Thursday afternoon. We were able to stop at a Motherhood Maternity store and I finally got a few shirt nice enough for work. I bought 4 shirts, 1 black dress capri, 1 pair of black dress pants, and finally got a bra that fits! The pants are not the most flattering but they are comfortable which is all that matters. I had to have something nice enough for the conference so I was greatly relieved to find something. The conference itself went well but the hotel was a disaster! At one point I called complaining to the management which is WAY out of character for me. I'm planning a whole post about that experience so just wait for it.
-On Friday after the conference I was scheduled to babysit for my cousin Cerina. She just had an adorable baby boy named Micade on May 1st. Her mom usually watches him but went out of a town for a trip so I offered to help. I was TERRIFIED! It has been years since I've cared for a baby so small. It actually went really, really, really well! I didn't really get much accomplished around the house that day but it was fun and exhausting.
-After Micade went home I was visiting with my mother at her house. Karleigh apparently did not like the position that I was sitting in so she began to repeatedly beat up my bladder. I stretched out on the couch and my mom was able to feel her kick when she put her hand on my lower belly! It was another of her hard punches and the surprise on my mom's face was priceless!

Week 24-An Ear of Corn
-As I was typing this post, Karleigh just gave my hand 3 solid thumps on my upper stomach. It is amazing to feel her getting stronger and stronger by the day.
-We began testing paint samples on the walls of Karleigh's room today. I am so wishy washy when it comes to paint decisions! I still cannot make up my mind. I am probably going to end up doing cream colored walls with a few stenciled purple flowers.
-I had to go to admin to turn in some paperwork to the CTE department so while I was there I spoke to HR about my maternity benefits today. While they are not terrific...I'm just glad to have something. In recent months, 2 of my cousins have had babies and have either not qualified for FMLA because of length of employment or self employment. I have not decided exactly how much time I will be taking off just yet. I need to contact the people that handle my disability insurance but I still have some time before that needs to be taken care of.
-Kevin and I have decided to bank Karleigh's cord blood. I honestly hope that it will be the hugest waste of money we have ever spent. We've been tossing the idea around for several months and cost was really a huge factor. I've read so many stories about the benefits that cord blood can have in case of illness and I just don't want to someday have regret that I didn't give my child this opportunity. We received an offered for a substantially reduced rate from Viacord. Has anyone ever used this company? Does anyone know if there is a better solution. We will be enrolling in the program in the next couple of days.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic day. I'm rushing to finish this house because it seems my summer is dwindling quickly. Inservice begins on August 11th and I'm so not ready! Kevin and I would still like to take a mini vacation sometime before its over so we're going to have to squeeze it in. Well I'm off to find something for lunch and then I will return to work on my hotel post. Until then...

And the winners are...

2010-07-09T23:21:00.000-05:00

Thanks for being so understanding of the delay...out of our desktop and 2 laptop computers...only my macbook was working this week. The desktop is refusing to connect to the internet and our windows laptop got a virus so Kevin has been using my computer all week to finish up his summer 1 semester classes! I'm very excited to say that he finished both classes so he has 1 more class to take through a mini semester during August and then he will have earned his associates degree! So proud of him! He works so hard and goes to school...I never could have done it. This computer situation has also delayed my week 22 pregnancy update but it was for a good reason. Her daddy was busy! Hopefully her update will be up tomorrow because I have big news from this week!

Now...onto what you really want to know...

The winner of

Bath and Body Works Prize Set 1

that includes

Coco Cabana Body Splash

Coco Cabana Body Lotion

Liplicious Tasty Sheer lip color in Saltwater Taffy

Tyly at One Mile At A Time

Sorry Tyly! Beth was actually chosen first so I gave her the first choice! I didn't really know a more fair way to handle it!

The winner of

Bath and Body Works Prize Set 2

that includes

Rain Kissed Leaves Body Splash

Rain Kissed Leaves Body Lotion

Liplicious Tasty Sheer lip color in Saltwater Taffy

Beth at All Because Two Hearts Fell In Love

The winner of

Bath and Body Works Prize Set 3

that includes

Black Amethyst Body Splash

Black Amethyst Body Lotion

Liplicious Tasty Sheer lip color in Saltwater Taffy

Lindsey at The Story Of Us

Congratulations to the winners! I believe that all my winners are my friends on facebook so please send me a message with your mailing address!

I'm leaving next week to go to a teaching conference but if I get all the addresses I'm going to try and get your packages mailed before I leave!

I tried to post screenshots of the random.org screen but my computer is still not letting me upload pictures like it did with the prize set pictures. Ugh! One more computer thing I have to work on...lol

An Extension...

2010-07-05T21:31:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone! Blogging from my phone tonight so this will be short and sweet. Due to the fact that Kevin is utilizing my MacBook Pro tonight to take a test, I cannot access random.org to pick the winners of my drawing! I'm so sorry guys! I am placing an extension on the giveaway through 11:59 pm on July 8th! Winners will be announced on Friday, July 9th!

A Celebration, a Name, and a Giveaway!

2010-06-30T21:52:00.002-05:00

Kevin and I have decided on a name for our beautiful baby girl! The first name has been decided for a long time now. Kevin has been completely sure for a while now but I've been wavering on a middle name. I have been torn between Michelle, Meredith, and Madelynn for middle names. I think they are all beautiful so it was very hard to choose. After much discussion...our little girl's name will be...

Karleigh Michelle

I think tradition won Kevin over on the middle name. Michelle is my middle name and my mother's middle name. My mom is still pushing hard for us to use my grandmother's middle name, Belle. It is a beautiful name but I believe that we're sold on Michelle.

In celebration of my two year blogoversary and the announcement of our little girl's name I am hosting my first giveaway. Not only 1 but 3 lucky winners will receive a prize set from one of my favorite stores, Bath and Body Works.

Please excuse the low quality pictures. I have the prizes but cannot reach my good camera to take good pictures due to the current state of my living room furniture!

***Blogger is acting funny and won't let me post pictures right now. I'll try again in the morning!

Bath and Body Works Prize Set 1

Coco Cabana Body Splash

Coco Cabana Body Lotion

Liplicious Tasty Sheer lip color in Saltwater Taffy

Bath and Body Works Prize Set 2

Rain Kissed Leaves Body Splash

Rain Kissed Leaves Body Lotion

Liplicious Tasty Sheer lip color in Saltwater Taffy

Bath and Body Works Prize Set 3

Black Amethyst Body Splash

Black Amethyst Body Lotion

Liplicious Tasty Sheer lip color in Saltwater Taffy

Since this is my very first giveaway, I'm going to keep the rules very simple.

Rules

-Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite of the 3 scents for 1 entry. I cannot promise you will get that scent but I will do my best to accommodate everyone!

-This contest will end on July 4th, 2010 at 11:59 pm. I will use random.org to choose the winners.

-Winners will be announced on July 5th, 2010.

Week 20- A Banana & Week 21- A Carrot

2010-06-30T20:51:00.001-05:00

Week 20 - June 22nd, 2010
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurementsare taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

Milestones This Week
-Sonogram said we are having a healthy and very active baby girl!!!
-Felt the first longterm movement that lasted more than a few seconds. It was amazing!
-Got my first (and hopefully only) stomach bug during pregnancy. It wasn't a fun day. My doctor said that several of her patients have been coming down with it.

Week 21 - June 29th, 2010
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long —the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

Milestones This Week
-Had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday and we received an explanation of the sonogram results and other testing results. A birth defect that runs in my family is the cleft lip and palate. We had some screenings run since it is hereditary. It can require seeing a specialist during pregnancy and that one is available during birth. According to the sonogram and testing everything is perfect! We are so happy! I would've loved my little girl just as much but I would've wanted to make sure she had the best available treatments and care before and after birth. Now obviously no testing is 100% accurate but it is still such wonderful news!
-I feel her kick a lot at night time now. The closest thing I can compare it to is gas bubbles...lol.
-I can see the outline of my uterus popping out on my naked stomach now. It is slowly making my two spare tires turn into one big belly and my belly button looks different.
-I decided on a bedding set for her room this week. You'll see it in a post soon.

Well now it is time to get on with my giveaway post! See y'all soon!

Whoops...

2010-06-30T20:08:00.000-05:00

With all of the excite of the sonogram last week...I completely forgot my weekly baby update post. Then this week we have been in the actual carpet installing process. Every single piece of furniture, knick knack, clothing, etc...is sitting in my living room. See?

It is taking FOREVER to get things put back in order because I can't move the large main pieces. Work is crazy busy for Kevin right now not to mention his mounds of homework so we have just a short time in the evenings to put things away. The new carpet looks fantastic and I'm so excited to have it down. The carpet in the bedrooms was one the last big things I wanted to do on our house...not little things...millions of those...big things. We tiled the entire rest of the house in 2008. The kitchen is the last big item and we're still deciding what to do in there. Our phone system and internet had to be completely disconnected and took a while to come back up after I put it back together. I did manage to get the computer set up in its new home outside the kitchen. In all the craziest many things have gotten pushed to the back burner but I'm so excited to see the house coming together as slow as it may be.

I've been working on my giveaway post and it will up this evening. I'm going to post a combined weekly update for weeks 20 and 21 and then you will find the giveaway post!

I can already tell...

2010-06-22T22:43:00.000-05:00

that this little girl has her daddy wrapped around her little finger!

Kevin is absolutely floating on air right now! One of the first things that Kevin said after the x-ray technician gave us the news was "oh my, wedding, diamonds, dresses, cars...) lol I think he was thinking of the dent that will be made in his wallet very soon! He is so excited and so am I! My poor husband...between me, the dogs, and now the baby...he lives in an estrogen filled house! He is going to be an awesome daddy to this little girl. If we can keep the spoiling to a minimum...things should go very well. This little girl will always know she is loved.

Please excuse the very fuzzy picture. It was taken with my iPhone. I will scan the actual printouts in the morning and try to load a better picture but not tonight. I am exhausted! My belly is so sore! The actual sonogram process didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would but the after effects are tremendous!

I wouldn't be surprised if I have a bruise in the morning or I could just be a wuss...

This little girl was moving all over the place during the ultrasound today. She did NOT want to stay in one place long enough for the tech to get clear pictures. I made him re-check the gender 3 times! lol The technician said that it went great and we were able to see lots of things like all 4 heart chambers, the 3 vessel umbilical cord, the stomach, the bladder...he was very nice and explained it all to us. I saw her open and close her mouth at one point and she kept putting her hand in front of her face. The technician thought she might be sucking her thumb...oh boy.

I'm laying on my bed tonight and the baby is going crazy in my stomach. So far all I've felt is periodic rolls and thumps but tonight it felt like an octopus was crawling across my stomach with some very definite hard jabs. It lasted for a good 30 minutes. I tried to feel with my hand but she'll stop for a few minutes each time I move it. Kevin gave it a try to but didn't feel anything definitive. He could of been feeling my breathing.

Kevin and I are 99% sure of a first name. The middle name is still being discussed. You will find out in just a few days. It may be tomorrow...who knows!

Since I posted the last post such a short time ago...I decided that I will do the giveaway on my next post after this. The sweet people who commented on yesterdays posted will automatically be enrolled in the drawing even if they don't re-comment.

Boy or Girl?

2010-06-21T21:42:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow is the big day! The day we find out if our future is full of snips, snails, and puppy dog tails or of sugar, spice, and everything nice! That is...if our little boy or girl will cooperate tomorrow. I certainly hope that he/she will. I'm anxious...hoping that everything will go ok. I worry about this baby all of the time. Am I eating enough vegetables? Drinking enough water? I still tend to wake up and find myself sleeping halfway on my stomach and I worry if I've squished it! My mom says the worry is just getting started. I know she is right and I would trade it for the world. Kevin is absolutely glowing today. He has been talking about tomorrow's scan all day long. It just swells my heart to see him so happy. I worry about Kevin too. He works all the time...very rarely gets home before 7 pm. Then he starts his homework. Last night I got up to go to the bathroom at 5 am and he was still in the office typing away. I worry how the lack of sleep is affecting his health and then I worry about him driving and running his equipment while exhausted. I will be so happy when this summer semester is over on July 7th. He is only taking 1 class next month so it should a little easier and then he will be completely finished with his associates degree! I'm so proud of him but I don't want him to kill himself trying to accomplish it. We don't really have any immediate plans for his degree but it feels so good to know he will have it.

I hope I can sleep tonight between the excitement of tomorrow and the fact that I've been tossing and turning for the last several nights. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can make myself sleep on my side? I bought a snoogle pillow which sorta works but I get so hot with it on and usually have to take it off of the bed after a few hours. I hope I'm not squishing our poor child!

I hope everyone had a great Father's day weekend! Kevin did receive a card and a TomTom for his first Fathers day. I had been looking to replace his TomTom that was stolen and found a good sale last week. He spent the entire day at home working on homework except for a few hours when he went to check on jobs for work so I can't say it was really a fun day but I hope he was happy.

Well here is your chance to register a guess on the gender of Baby J! Leave a comment telling me what your guess is! My appointment isn't until tomorrow afternoon so I may not be able to get on here until late tomorrow evening. I've received my items I ordered in the mail so as soon I get a chance I will be hosting my first giveaway! Maybe I'll make the giveaway retroactive and pick a random name from among the guesses!

Trinkets By Lindsay

2010-06-16T21:15:00.000-05:00

One of the high points of this week was that I won a fantastic contest! I've been reading the blog of a sweet girl named Lindsey for over a year now. She has the cutest little boys and is a fantastic mom. I've really enjoyed reading about their life and chatting with her from time to time. I was initially drawn to her blog because she is such a genuinely kind person in her posts but then I realized that we have something else in common. She actually works in the main office of the career and technology teacher organization that hosts conferences I attend. I was quite surprised when I received a conference update email from her at school one day! The director of my department at school is also the president of the organization this year. Lindsey just recently got the opportunity to become a work from home mom and I'm so jealous! She was a fabulous working mom who always seemed to be able to juggle everything and now she is an awesome work at home mom. I hope that someday I will manage to be a great mom like her. Lindsey hosted a giveaway for her 2 year blogoversary. I won the most adorable necklace. It is from a store based in Lubbock. I get to choose what style I want and what I want the personalization to say. Lindsey is graciously allowing me to wait until our sonogram next week before I make my final decision. Thank you so much Lindsey! I'm so excited!

PS: Lindsey's generosity has inspired me to host my own giveaways in the next few weeks. A late celebration of my 2 year blogoversary that was in May. I have already ordered the prizes so keep you're eyes out for the giveaways!

19 Weeks-A Large Heirloom Tomato

2010-06-15T20:44:00.002-05:00

19 Weeks
Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

My Week
-On last Wednesday night the baby decided to do gymnastics or something in my stomach. I was sitting on the couch watching a little TV before bed when the baby started rolling around and fairly quickly positioned itself directly above my right hip bone. It was the weirdest and most awkward feeling but didn't really hurt. You could actually run your hand across my low stomach (the baby is always REALLY low) and feel the hard knot on my right side. It made it a little weird to walk and lay down but I tried. I finally got out the fetal doppler and was able to find the baby's heartbeat right on top of the knot. It's BPM was as speedy as ever hanging out around 150-156. It is always around that rate. It was pretty neat.
-I feel the baby rolling around more. After that first acrobatics session on wednesday I can feel it more easily. It is still sporadic.
-I've been busy working on our house this week. We're having new carpet installed in the next few weeks so I'm getting organized.
-I have chosen a crib bedding set for each gender. They are just adorable. I cannot wait to find out what we're having! The girl's bedding I chose is very surprising because it is not at ALL what I thought I would choose. The first words out of Kevin's mouth when I showed him were, "Wow! I assumed it would be purple!" Put it this way...it is not purple. There is a store in town that carries both beddings and I'm going to go look at them in person this week.
-We had a big surprise arrive this week. It was the baby's bedroom furniture! It actually arrived 6-8 weeks sooner than we expected. I've been peeking at baby furniture for a very long time so I had a general idea of what I wanted. I knew I wanted a convertible crib in a medium wood finish. Not light pine but not dark cherry. I also wanted the final larger bed to look more like a true headboard/footboard instead of crib rails.

I've looked at Target, Walmart, and even a furniture store in town but everything seemed low quality. (Remember that my town has very small selections of baby items.) A friend recommended I look at JCPenney online. They got their crib from there and it was the best quality one they had been able to find. I spotted a crib I loved almost immediately after we found out about the baby and have been checking in on it every few days for the last 2 months. It went on sale over a month ago and I noticed it but since we're not even close to needing it yet I wasn't worried about it. Two days later it went back off sale and was priced higher than it had been originally! I was so mad! Weeks went by and finally it went back on sale and this time it was at an even better price AND I had a coupon to take 15% off of my entire purchase. The price has since gone back up again! Kevin and I talked it over and decided to go ahead and make the purchase during the sale using the coupon.

Since school will be starting off at a rapid pace in August and will be nonstop until the baby is here we want to get as much preparing done as possible before school starts. The website said it would take 6-8 weeks to arrive making us get it just in time before school starts. Well it took a week! And since we weren't expecting it...its new home is the garage for the time being. My Tahoe has been kicked to the curb until the furniture can move inside (which probably won't be for multiple weeks.) I was worried about getting things too early but my mom said it was time to start preparing since we find out the gender next week. I'm still debating which room (larger guest room or smaller office) will become the nursery. So many decisions! Ah! I hate making decisions! These are kind of fun decisions though... :)

A Funk

2010-06-14T21:05:00.000-05:00

I am in such a blogging funk! Each time I sit down to blog...I'm completely stumped as what to write. Except for baby news (which is fantastic), there isn't really a whole lot going on around here. If I'm not at my parent's new house helping my mom get things settled then I'm at home cleaning out junk. (I have a stack of textbooks as tall as my leg that the college bookstore wouldn't buy back! We will be having a garage sale sometime this summer.) I usually blog while Kevin and I watch DVR'd shows in the evenings but Kevin is so busy with work and summer classes that we haven't had time to watch anything. Our DVR is getting very full!

Kevin will complete his college classes on the day that I have to report back to school for work so we won't really have any down time together this summer. We're hoping to take a mini trip in between the 1st and 2nd summer semesters but we'll just have to see because I have to be in Dallas for a conference the day after. I would really like the chance to go to Midland sometime soon. We like the drive-in movie theater and I would like to go to Summer Mummers with a few of my friends. I also believe that there is a Babies R Us there. Hopefully we can make a day trip or weekend trip sometime soon.

We still haven't decided what to do about our house. Most likely we will refinance and use some equity to remodel the kitchen or back porch but I'm just not sure. I haven't seen any houses on the market that are nice enough to make me want to sell my current home. We are having new carpet installed in the bedrooms in the next week or two. That will mean that we have replaced the flooring in the entire house. Carpet in the bedrooms and tile everywhere else. When the desk and bookshelves come out of the office for the install, they will not be going back in there. This is because that room will begin to become a nursery! I have to get a lot of stuff packed, thrown out, or organized soon.

My blog never really has had a theme besides online diary. Oh well...maybe I will think of something else more interesting to blog about someday. For now I think I'm going to go swimming at my brother's house. I hope everyone is having a fantastic day!

18 Weeks-A Bell Pepper

2010-06-08T20:10:00.062-05:00

18 Weeks

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

My Week
-has been exhausting...and I'm not really doing that much work. We've been helping my parents move. They won't actually let me help move anything but I've been packing boxes and unpacking boxes. They are officially out of their old house and into their new house. The new house is getting paint and carpet though so they are far from being all moved in. Of course the temperature outside has been over 100 degrees the majority this week...ugh.
-18 week OB appointment was today! Everything is going fantastic! My blood pressure was great and the baby's heartbeat was loud and clear in the 150 bpm range. I've been told to drink even more water since it has been so hot outside this week! I did gain a few pounds this month but my doctor is thrilled with total gain so far. I lost several pounds when I was so sick so I'm now about 1 pound above my pre-pregnancy weight.
-I still cannot get enough fresh fruit to satisfy me. I could eat japanese steak house hibachi cooking everyday but my wallet wouldn't stand for that. I adore grilled/sauteed zucchini. I cannot get enough of the macaroni & cheese from Logan's roadhouse. It is the BEST!
-My stomach is really bothering me. It is tight and sore constantly. It feels like I've eaten 10 double cheeseburgers even though all I had was 1 burrito. I'm guessing it is stretching pains but it just seems unbelievable. If it is this bad at 18 weeks...what will it be like when I get farther along? I've always been aware of my belly fat but I have never really felt it when I walk. I actually feel it pulling now when I walk or lay on my side. I'm guessing this is because the muscles are so sore. I sometimes wish I had some kind of corset that would pull it up and hold it tight so it didn't hurt. lol
-My regular clothes have officially become to tight to wear all day. They are tolerable for short periods of time but no more than an hour or so. I currently own 1 pair of maternity jeans that still fall down when I walk. Dressing each morning is becoming a huge pain. I guess it is time to buy some more pants. I'm going to start by looking for capris.
-Milestone of the Week! Last night on Monday, June 8th, 2010 (at 17 weeks & 5 days) I felt my first definite movement from our little one!!! I don't know if it was a kick...it was more like a whoosh in the very low bottom right corner of my stomach. I was driving home from my mom's new house when I felt something weird as I turned a corner. It startled me and I thought..."hmm...what's that?" About 10 seconds later, I very distinctly feel the exact same thing again! That is when I realized what it was! I was so excited that I started talking to the baby saying things like "Good Job! I'm listening! I'm listening!" lol I immediately called Kevin and then my mom. I haven't felt anything since but my doctor said that at this point it may not happen everyday.
-I've been having some crazy dreams this week. Thank goodness that so far it hasn't been anything that made me wake up mad or crying. Let's hope that it stays that way.

Door A, B, or C???

2010-06-01T20:31:00.000-05:00

I hate tough decisions! I really wish I didn't have to make them. Life would be so much less stressful if someone else told me what to do. Now I realize that this is not actually feasible and wouldn't be much of a life but it sure sounds nice.

Kevin and I have been trying to make a decision about our house. When got a very good deal when we purchased our home so it has increased in value substantially. We have quite a bit of equity in our home. Interest rates are very low right now. Much lower than the rate we have so we're debating a few options. Four to be exact...A. refinance our remaining balance for 30 years decreasing our interest rate by 1.5% and lowering our payment by over $100. This saves $34,000 in interest over the life of the loan. B. refinance our remaining balance for 15 years decreasing our rate by 1.75% and raising our payment $81. Choice A and B have almost no refinancing fees. This saves just under $80,000 in interest over the life of the loan. C. refinancing with a home equity loan. It would lower the rate but increase our loan amount and give us a nice amount of cash to remodel our kitchen, add a desk area, and possibly covered back porch. This option will increase our loan but give us the exact same payment as we currently make. Our loan would still be well below a possible sale price for our home. This choice requires substantial closing costs. D. We could put our house for sale and put the equity down on a new home on the other side of town. For this option minus the down payment, we would be financing about $25,000-$30,000 more than our current home loan.

Option D has it's pros and cons. Pros: More square footage. Closer to everything including shopping, restaurants, entertainment, my brother and parent's new home. The best schools in town, nicer neighborhoods, growing home values. Cons: Higher taxes. We would almost have to double our current purchase price to find what we want and it might not have as nice finishes as the improvements we have made in our current home. We currently live on just over a half an acre lot in what many call a "retirement" neighborhood. On the other side of town we would be looking at half as much room at the absolute best-this is good and bad...less mowing...less parking...). I really do like my home but my biggest complaint that cannot be remedied is the size of the tiny current office/future nursery (9' 7'' X 10' 4'') and it's closet. It is "landlocked" by the design of our house and cannot be made bigger.

I could go on for days debating pros and cons but there doesn't seem to a clear choice. Part of me wants to keep our loan as low as possible for the slim hope that I might someday be able to stay at home with our baby but the other side of me says that I will have to work forever anyway because we need insurance and I should just give in and get a bigger home that I could enjoy. Every night when I pray for our baby, I also pray for god's guidance. I do not feel one clear path to any choice which makes me want to just not do anything. If we sit and do nothing then we may have missed a fantastic chance with low rates. Like I said...I hate hard decisions...sometimes knowing so much about financing due to my business degree feels more like a curse than a blessing. I think writing my thoughts down has helped me sort my thoughts a little but I'm not really any closer to a decision. Any suggestions? Hmmm...well until we meet again...

17 Weeks-A Turnip

2010-06-01T19:27:00.000-05:00

17 Weeks

How big is your baby at 17 weeks pregnant? About five inches long and more than three and a half ounces — the size of your open hand. (Open the other one too and imagine your baby cradled in both your arms right after delivery!) Body fat (baby's, that is) is beginning to form and will continue to accumulate through the end of your pregnancy. By the time your baby is born, body fat will make up about two-thirds of his or her weight (and will make all those chubby parts especially yummy).

Your baby is almost certainly listening up by now. In fact, loud noises — the dog barking, the doorbell ringing — will actually startle your baby (and also get him or her used to such noises; for instance, fetuses who regularly hear a dog barking will become babies who sleep right through Fido's outbursts). Your baby's eyes (which have fortunately finished their migration to the front of his or her head) are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed. And since practice makes perfect, your baby is sharpening his or her sucking and swallowing skills in preparation for that first (and second…and third) suckle at your breast or bottle. In fact, most of the survival reflexes that your baby will have at birth are being perfected in utero right now.

And here's some proof that your baby is truly one of a kind (as if you needed any!). Within the next week or so, the pads on your baby's fingertips and toes will become adorned with completely individual swirls and creases (aka fingerprints). www.whattoexpect.com

My Week
-Has been fabulous! Last day of school was Friday. I have been relaxing ever since and did manage to do some laundry and the kitchen is clean...but that is about it.
-Constant stretching in my stomach hasn't gone away. It doesn't really hurt...just annoying.
-We had a very low-key Memorial Day weekend. Kevin had to work for a while each day and I just was lazy around the house.
-We have been trying to make some tough decisions lately. I'll go into more detail in my next post.
-It is about 3 weeks until our next sonogram and I am getting more and more anxious!!! I cannot wait to see our little one again!
-Question...when is it time to start getting ready for the baby's arrival? I need to have the bulk of my preparing done before school starts in August but it seems like I'm jumping the gun.
-I'm starting a MAJOR spring/summer cleaning project this week. I'm am purging at a ridiculous rate. Kevin and I have been married for 7 years without the need to make room for anyone else. It is time to make space...
-Kevin I had a meeting with a dietician and diabetes specialist today. It went really well! My PCOS, weight, and family history put me at risk for developing gestational diabetes. Up to this point all my blood work has been fabulous with perfect sugar levels and great blood pressure reading. This meeting was a preventative meeting. I was actually really surprised because apparently my eating habits while lacking vegetables (which I knew) fit very well into where I need to be. They gave me an Accu-check blood glucose monitor for free so I can test my levels periodically when I feel like it. If there is one day that I feel bad in particular I will be able to check and see if my blood sugar is reacting to what I have eaten. My levels were perfect again today. I have had my sugar checked before with a similar monitor by my mother and grandmother (it was her monitor). It was when I was much younger but I knew to expect the pinch of the needle. It might not get a lot of use but it is nice to have in case I want to check.
-One of the big changes that has been going on is coming to a close tomorrow...My parents close on their new house here in town! My parents sold their house a few weeks ago and tomorrow they get to begin moving into their new home. It is gorgeous! I can only dream that someday I'll be able to own a home like their new one. I will post a picture of the outside soon. I'm so happy for them...especially my mom. She has always wanted to have a house big enough to host family and now she is getting the big, beautiful house she deserves.

16 Weeks-An Avocado

2010-05-27T00:16:00.000-05:00

*I started this post earlier this week but did not manage to finish it yesterday. Explanation to follow...

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

My Week
-Last week of school for the 09-10 school year!
-I thought the exhaustion was supposed to end in the first trimester but has just now started for me. By 3 pm I am FIGHTING to keep my eyes open no matter what I doing. Two days this week I have fallen asleep at 4:30-5 pm and then woke up around 9 pm. I'm hoping it is just the build up and flurry of activity of the end of the school year and it won't be a permanent thing.
-I'm having trouble shaving my legs because I get dizzy when I bend over in the shower. Any other time...I'm fine...weird.
-I've decided that I'm having round ligament pain. I have had a weird stretching, pulling sensation in my low abdomen since the a few days before I was pregnant. It kind of feels like the pain after waking up with a very full bladder constantly.
-My first pair of maternity jeans arrived yesterday and they are actually really cute! I also ordered one black maternity shirt that is adorable and I will be wearing long after this baby is born. The maternity jeans are still too big but my regular jeans have gotten a little uncomfortable. The mornings are ok but I'm usually miserable by the afternoon.
- My once very squishy stomach has changed. Don't get me wrong...it is still very squishy...but the underside has gotten rock hard and is sticking out approximately an inch farther than before. It is uncomfortable to sit hunched over (which I do a lot at my laptop. I know! Bad!). It is actually improving my posture!
-I have an appointment with a dietician next week. I'm excited. I've always wanted to ask what I should be eating that would have the most benefit to my body.
-Hiding a pregnancy in a high school is almost impossible. More gossip and preying eyes than you can imagine. It has become increasingly difficult to keep it from my students. Several have suspected and been asking prying questions about my nausea, my saltine crackers, my freakishly long hair and nails, and so forth... "Wow Mrs. J, my nails only got that long when I was taking my prenatal vitamins!" "Mrs. J, are you ever going to have kids? I bet we make you not want to have any, huh?" It has mostly come from my students that have babies or are currently pregnant. I've managed to brush off comments other teachers have made around students and I myself have slipped up a couple of times. "Oh yeah I've heard of that new children's store...I'm going there as soon as I find...er...out what gender my friend is having."
Earlier this week a phone call was put through to my classroom during the school day which is REALLY weird. They don't do that. Students were sitting in my room. But the lady that was calling was very pushy (probably why she got through) and was asking about plans for a student group I was supposed to sponsor this next year. I had been trying to compose an email to notify her that I had been reassigned to other activities but I hadn't sent it because I hadn't had a chance to speak to my principal again. Finally after about 8 minutes of her not giving up and students sitting there listening, I finally just told her that I was expecting a baby and since I would be out for maternity leave next year that someone else was going to sponsor that group. I'm not going to say that made her quiet right away because it didn't but it definitely shortened the conversation finally. Once I hung up the phone and had all those eyes staring at me I said, "Yes, I'm having a baby and I'm very excited." The kids went nuts! They were so excited which was very cute. I actually had one girl (who I've had to write up multiple times) sit there dumbfounded for almost 5 minutes before finally speaking up and saying, "You're pregnant? Oh...I'm so sorry for how I've acted this semester." lol I just about died laughing. The funniest part was that several boys agreed with her and started apologizing also. If I'd known that...I'd have been "pregnant" all year long.
-Once the cat was out of the bag I broke the news to each of my classes. Luckily it was the last day that I was going to have most of my students this year so it was pretty good timing. With the semester exam exemptions that were put in place I actually have very few students testing. Today I had 7 total. Tomorrow I will have 8. Friday I will have about 6. Next time they see me I'll be 29 weeks along. Crazy!

15 Weeks-An Apple Updated

2010-05-18T23:24:00.001-05:00

*The baby's heartbeat has been regularly staying in the 150's to low 160's. I didn't want to forget.
*I ordered a snoogle pillow on Monday evening and it arrived today! That is amazingly fast for out here. Hopefully it will help the back pain I've been having. Otherwise we might permanently move into the guest room. I'd go by myself but I'd miss Kevin too much!

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")
My Week
-Finally have my classroom back! BUT...I've been at training M-W. I'm hoping my students are actually getting something accomplished. They don't have many grades with being homeless for 2 weeks and all...
-The training has been Princeton Review training and I'm enjoying it. I'm learning to prepare students for taking the ACT. Much of what I've learned has been test taking strategies such as process of elimination, guess & check, skip the harder questions...BUT we're also learning MUCH more. My brain hurts. Especially on the Algebra, Geometry, and Trig tests. Those parts of my brain have cobwebs from being neglected for a VERY long time. Right now I'm hoping this baby is listening and learning...ha...he/she may have to help mom.
-Speaking of the baby...remember how we didn't really celebrate mother's day? Well there is one thing that we did do. We made a purchase...or rental really. I have had the immense pleasure of listening to my little darlin's heartbeat multiple times in the last week. Kevin and I rented a fetal doppler and have had a blast using it! I promise we're not bugging the baby constantly. It is so fun to find the heartbeat. There have been a few nights when the baby has been stubborn and won't come out of play but it is ok. I haven't "panicked" which is what my mom assumed I would do. I just didn't worry about it and tried again in the next day or so. When I start having physical stomach pain...then I'll panic. And yes...I spoke to my doctor about it and she said it was fine. It was only about $20 a month! I found out about it from this post on K. Law's baby blog! Once I saw her video of it I knew I wanted one myself! But don't worry....you won't be seeing any videos of my fat rolls on here...so rest easy everyone.
-I had the WEIRDEST sensation in my stomach while I was in class yesterday. It was like a pushing from the inside out and it pushed against the table in front of me. I know it is probably gas since I'm not really far enough along to feel the baby yet but it was definitely the weirdest gas that I've ever felt. It just pushed straight out and didn't go up at all.
-I have been feeling very good this week other than I cannot keep my eyes open. This probably has to do with the fact that I sit in a room for 8 hours a day (yes I'm having to work from 8-5 this week) listening to someone else talk. It's much easier when I'm the one doing the talking. Our poor trainer...I think he thinks that I'm narcoleptic even though I haven't actually fallen asleep. Just a LOT of head bobbing...
-I have so much to do before school gets out for summer but I kind of just want to bury my head in the sand (aka my bed covers)...
-Well I wanted to write more but I've GOT to get in bed now. I didn't get home until almost 9. Immediately after training today I had to run home, freshen up, and head right back up to school for the Academic awards assembly. I was so "kindly" volunteered to hand out the career & technology department awards. Yes that was slightly sarcastic. Oh wait...it gets better...none of my students got any of the awards...because I wasn't asked who I wanted to submit like ALL the other teachers were. humph. I had to sit on the stage facing the audience. yeah. great. I just keep reminding myself...9 more working days and then 2 glorious months of summer!!!

14 Weeks-A Lemon

2010-05-11T21:58:00.001-05:00

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

My Week
-Kevin was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society this week. He looked so handsome up there! I was so proud of him!
-I'm sooooooo ready for school to be out.
-I move around 4 times between 3 different rooms during the school day right now. Ugh
-I've felt pretty good this week with one exception. I'm hoping the nausea is starting to fade now.
-The one exception is that I've developed back pain that isn't going away. It isn't the sharp, take your breathe away kind of pain. More of dull, constant ache that really bugs me when I bend or step down stairs. It feels like there is a grapefruit (round, knot like) sitting on the very bottom of my spine. At first I thought it was just from our mattress. I've never really liked it and it does cause me some pain first thing in the morning that usually goes away during my shower. This pain doesn't go away. I've tried sleeping in the guest room for 2 nights and will try it again tonight. Has this happened to anyone before?
-Allergies still here but manageable.
-I had my 2nd appointment with my OB this week. It went really well and she said all of my blood work (including blood sugar, immunities, thyroid) came back with great results. I was really disappointed because according to my scale at home I have lost anywhere from .5 to 1.5 lbs since my last appointment but according to the scale at the doctor's office I gained almost 3 pounds. The doctor wasn't worried at all and said it was probably just because I was weighing late in the afternoon and I'm retaining some water compared to weighing 1st thing in the morning like my last visit.
-They scheduled our next sonogram for late June. I will be around 20 weeks at that time. I really wish I didn't have to wait that long to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl but oh well I guess. It's going to be a long 6 weeks.
-It is going to be really busy around here for the next couple of weeks between the end of school and activities that I'm required to attend after the normal school day.
-Did I mention I'm really ready for summer? My brother's swimming pool is calling my name. My doctor recommended swimming and relaxing! Sounds GREAT!

What to do with today...

2010-05-09T21:13:00.000-05:00

Mother's day has definitely been an off day for me in recent years...as much as I was thrilled to spend to the day doting on my amazing mother it was also a glaring reminder of the fact that I was broken, unable, or unworthy. This year though...it's a little different...and while I know many people will say that I'm not an actual mother yet... in one way...I kind of am. It still doesn't "feel" real but of course I know it is. I mean I read the updates about the baby's development and am in complete awe at the little person growing inside me. A true little person that is a little bit of me and a little bit of Kevin. I know the first time I feel the baby will be amazing and it will start to "feel" real but until then every morning when I wake up I will continue to ask myself..."Was I dreaming? Am I really going to be a mom?"

It isn't like we celebrated today or anything. I didn't receive any presents but I was told "Happy Mother's Day" a few times and the few times I heard it...it made my heart skip a beat! Justin (my brother) and I cooked lunch for mom and had a wonderful time visiting with her, dad, Kevin, and Alicia. I made the main course and Justin made the brownies. My parents had to rush back home though because they have a lot of stuff going on at their house right now. (That is more exciting news that I will be sharing very shortly but not quite yet!) So...what to do with today...I don't know about you...but as for me...I will give thanks to my amazing Lord for the thrilling and terrifying responsibility he has placed in my life and ask repeatedly that he protect this baby and help me do everything I can to be the best mom-to-be possible...

Oh and I didn't forget... Happy Mother's Day, Momma! I am extremely grateful for having such an amazing mother and this year I realize even more how lucky I am to have such a great teacher as you. Maybe...just maybe...if I can manage to remember even a 1/4 of the great things that you did...I'll be able to be a good mom myself. I love you!

13 Weeks-My Little Shrimp

2010-05-04T22:08:00.000-05:00

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

My Week
-Sundays have a pattern of being a serious nausea day. Again...the rest of the week is pretty ok until I brush my teeth.
-I survived TAKS tests.
-These allergies will never go away...never.
-Everything is still very unreal to me. Each time I wake up I have to ask myself if I've been dreaming. I don't know when it will seem "real".
-My cousin had her baby boy on Saturday. I haven't been able to see him yet but I'm so excited! I cannot believe that our babies will only be 6 months apart.
-It amazes me how looking back I can see how God has been subtly guiding instances in my life. There were several situations that occurred that were hard to understand at the time but now I can see how they have shaped me. For example: If you've read backward in my blog, you'll remember that Kevin and I acquired some debt when I was working part-time last year and had to pay out of pocket for cobra health insurance. I came to the realization this week that we wrote the final check and paid everything off on the weekend I should have found out I was pregnant. But of course...I didn't find out until weeks later.
-God has really made a change in my heart recently. Just a few years ago I would have been devastated at the thought of having a baby and not being able to stay at home with it. God has changed some circumstances in my life along with changes in the lives of those I love that make the idea of working more bearable. Although it isn't my first choice, it is the best for my baby and our family. Children get sick and they need health insurance! It was devastating when my mom lost her job as a clerk when the prison closed but now she will be able to watch the baby during the day for me which is a HUGE blessing! I have a job that allows me to leave work at 4 pm each day and gives me almost 3 months off each summer. I will also have quite a bit of time off during next school year after delivery and then I'm hoping the spring will go by quickly. At this point, I feel better with my mom watching the baby than I would doing it myself! lol Getting pregnant has made me realize just how little I actually know about babies and it is terrifying!!! Kevin and I have decided to re-evaluate my working situation at the end of each school year.

-I had a blast at my friend's baby shower last week! I was able to see several of the teachers I used to work with in Eden. I miss them so much!

-18 more school days!

-Kevin is being inducted into Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society this week. I'm so proud of him!

If I hear...

2010-05-03T19:07:00.003-05:00

"but it's after TAKS...we're not supposed to do anything anymore!"...one more time...I think I will scream! I am not a babysitter and have no intention of showing movies until the end of the school year. We still have time to LEARN something and we will...even if it kills me. Considering I've been kicked out of my computer lab for the next 2 weeks while they administer online end of course exams to almost every kid in the school. After being shuffled with a rolling cart full of laptops between 4 classrooms today...I will apparently be spending the next 9 school days sharing an auditorium with 2 male coaches classes except of course during the one act play performance day when I think I will be in the cafeteria or library. I'm soooooo ready for this school year to be over....

12 Weeks-Say No To Fritos!

2010-04-27T17:22:00.002-05:00

12 Weeks (www.babycenter.com)

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

My Week
-I was only really nauseous 1 day this week. This baby does not like Fritos.
-It still takes me several tries to get my teeth brushed in the mornings because I gag and lose my breakfast on a regular basis. Evenings aren't as bad.
-This is TAKS testing week at school. ugh
-Heartburn has hit with a vengeance. I had 1 chocolate chip cookie and thought I was going to die. Tums are my best friend.
-My unmedicated allergies have been HORRIBLE for the last 2 months but they are finally not as severe. Still miserable but I'm not losing my voice at work anymore and can get through a lesson without an embarrassing coughing fit. The cough it still here...just very few and far between now.
-I really feel my stomach stretching on the weekends. I still just look fat and will look that way until the very end but I can actually feel my muscles get sore as they stretch.
-Our truck was broken into this weekend right in front of our house. Several houses on the block were hit. They stole a lot of Kevin's expensive work equipment. We lived here for 4 years with no problems until now! Makes me so mad!
-I'm attending a friend's baby shower on Friday! I got a little overwhelmed trying to pick out her present thinking about all the things we will need and there are WAY too many choices...
-Kevin has been fantastic through all of this. He brings me breakfast in bed everyday...
-Did I mention I hate TAKS week?

Spring...scratch that...Summer Fever!

2010-04-21T19:56:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you guys...but I cannot wait for this...

Flip Flops!

And this...

Sleeping In!

And this...

Shaved Ice!

I absolutely CANNOT wait for summer! I am way ready to leave school long before 4 pm rolls around each day. It is going to be a LONG 5 1/2 weeks until school is out!!!

11 Weeks

2010-04-20T19:11:00.000-05:00

I've decided to update about the baby weekly instead of boring you with every post. There will still be a few catch up posts but not much. This is a lofty goal for a bad blogger such as myself but I want to remember this. I will try to find something else to post about periodically and try to be interesting.

11 Weeks
-I've felt pretty good this week. Morning sickness has been very few and far between. There is definitely muscle behind all the fat on my stomach because I feel like I've done 100 crunches!
-Hormones have reared their ugly head this week. My puppy Reese hasn't been feeling well and I just cried and cried because I couldn't make her feel better.
-I worry about this baby constantly. My doctor has reassured me over and over again that all the medicines I took while sick are ok for the baby but I just can't stop thinking about it. My cough is finally starting to dissipate. You know...that cough I've had since March 12th. Yeah.
-A few people at work know about the baby now and that has made life much easier. It was very hard to hide the nausea and indigestion. Also easier without the nausea because as sad as it is...teenagers know pregnancy symptoms better than adults and I'm not telling the students. They'll figure out on their own soon enough.
-I am in LOVE with peaches. Cold diced peaches drive me absolutely crazy. More than chocolate. We cannot keep enough in the house. Other than that...most things still taste funny or just aren't appetizing.
-Somehow I lost 5 pounds between Friday and Sunday. I know it is probably because I'm eating healthier and much smaller meals but it was still weird.
-Next week is TAKS testing. I'm really hoping they assign me as a hall monitor because I'll feel bad for whoever relieves my room. I have to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes it seem which is not easy when you are a teacher!

Development this week from babycenter.com
Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden. She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two -- nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Friday, March 26th, 2010-The Big Surprise!

2010-04-18T22:44:00.004-05:00

Thank you so much for all of the sweet comments everyone! Life has been a whirlwind and I want to get a few things down in writing so I don't forget.

I will never forget the night I found out that I was pregnant. Or at least that is what I think...but I'm going to write it down here to make sure I don't forget. This post is really more for me than anyone else so I hope I don't bore you too much.

It had been an absolutely crazy day...a crazy couple of weeks actually. I managed to sleep through my alarm that morning...waking up just 20 minutes before I was supposed to leave the house. I went to school with my greasy hair in a pony tail, no make-up, and the worst nausea I had ever felt in my entire life.

If you remember my previous posts...I'd been sick. The day we got out for spring break I had a horrible allergy attack that immediately turned into a sinus infection and a bad case of bronchitis. I had been to the doctor on three separate occasions and on several different medications (a fact that causes me great anxiety constantly) but was not getting better. It was really effecting my work because I was having dizzy spells and coughing fits while trying to teach. My most recent doctor appointment had been on Wednesday the 24th and I had been prescribed an antibiotic. I took the first pill on Friday night and immediately got sick. I was nauseous constantly over the next 2 days and wouldn't take any more medicine. I had the most horrible metal taste in my mouth and was downing crackers and sprite like crazy. Kevin actually had to bring crackers to work on Thursday because I was so sick. I thought I had been poisoned by my medicine... ha! Little did I know it was something very different!

Back to Friday...I made it through the school day and headed home. The moment I walked in the door I put on my PJs and lay moaning on the couch about how I had been poisoned and what Kevin needed to tell the ER doctor should I pass out. Kevin, being the sweet man he is, tried to make me feel better. He brought home my favorite dinner (soft tacos, chips, and queso, from Rosa's) and brought it to me while I was on the couch. We ate dinner while catching up on all our DVRd shows (Ugly Betty!). I was still feeling horrible and to make things worse I was having to get up and go to the restroom every 5 minutes. It felt like my bladder was the size of a walnut.

On my 10th trip to the restroom, I remembered I had a cheap pregnancy test in the cabinet. Since I was going to have to go back to the doctor for poisoning I wanted make sure. As I've said before...I have very irregular cycles. They have had gaps of anywhere from 2 weeks to almost a year. I keep tests in the house and take them periodically before taking prescriptions or just every once in a while for peace of mind. I used the cheap test, set it on the edge of the tub behind the shower curtain, and sat on the bed nonchalantly surfing facebook with my phone. The timer went off, I picked up the test, glanced at it quickly, and started to put it in the trash. My hand was in the trashcan when I froze. I pulled the test back out and saw a plus sign and gasp. "No way, couldn't be" I thought. "I must be reading it wrong." I pulled out the box and read the instructions one more time. "No, it says that plus means pregnant. It couldn't be!" By this time my heart was beating so loudly in my chest that I was sure Kevin could hear it in the living room. I quickly dismantled our bathroom searching for the box of fancy digital clear blue easy pregnancy tests that I knew I had somewhere. (I had purchased them while waiting for my prescriptions at the pharmacy on March 15th. Since I was going to take so many medications and was waiting on that aisle I decided to get some and take one as soon as I got home...but I didn't. I've beat myself constantly about that. More than you can ever imagine. I was so dizzy that barely got home before passing out on the bed.)

I finally found the box of tests and managed to take another one. (Like I said...the size of a walnut.) This time I was like a caged animal waiting for that second test to finish. I was having a complete nervous breakdown. It was the most thrilling and most terrifying moment of my entire life. I could not believe I had actually seen a positive test...it was a miracle...but what about the prescriptions I had taken! What if I had done something horrible to the baby! I was in complete shock and completely freaking out for lack of a better term. The timer went off and I lunged at the test. I couldn't believe my eyes. It said, "pregnant." I didn't know what to do. I wanted to scream, dance, and cry at the same time. I walked into the living room. Kevin had been waiting for me so we could finish our show. I held up the tests and said, "I'm pregnant. They say that I'm pregnant." Kevin's face was priceless. A look of sheer confusion. The first word out of his mouth was, "Huh?" I don't really remember what was said after that. It was a flurry of simultaneous talking and examining tests. We were in complete shock.

Now I said I would give you an explanation about passing the pregnancy test 8 times. If you've been keeping track...we've been through 2 already. A few minutes passed by and as soon as our brains began functioning again...Kevin began making me drink glass upon glass of water. We took another test about an hour later. Not one to be patient, Kevin watched the test constantly while it lay on the counter. Less than a minute later he yelled, "It's positive! It only took 45 seconds! That must be a record!" lol I was rolling laughing by this point. That was test number 3. I don't remember when...but we finally went to bed at some point. Around 5:30 the next morning I woke up to go to the bathroom and Kevin had me take the last test which obviously gave us the same result. Test number 4.

To be continued: look for "Telling the Grandparents"

I am THAT girl...

2010-04-13T19:21:00.001-05:00

I have a handful of talents and basketfuls of weaknesses. I can't sing, play sports, dance, tell jokes, be fearless, take a hint, lose weight, be charming, be outgoing, not have allergies...the list goes on and on...

Although...there is something that I can do...

I have always been THAT girl...you know...the one that everyone either loves or hates to have in their class. I CAN do well on tests...always have. I have a somewhat photographic memory. I am just a good student. I enjoy listening in class. Things I hear or read just tend to stick with me really well. Like I said before...you either love being in class with me because you want to be my partner on a group project or get copies of my notes...or you hate having me in class because I always tend to ruin the grading curve.
I ruin the curve because I do well on tests...

BUT...there is one type of test that I have never passed. I've taken many in recent years. More than than my fair share some people might say. I didn't understand what was wrong with me.
Then...on March 26th, 2010 around 9 pm...I took the test once again...
fully expecting to fail one more time.

But I didn't fail this time...I passed!!!

In fact...I passed that test a total of 8 times over the next 2 days! lol (Yes, I realize taking 8 is ridiculous but I promise I'll tell you a good explanation soon...)

But before I get to that...let me take the time to introduce...

Baby J @ 9 weeks on April 6th, 2010

We had our first doctor appointment today. It went well and were able able to hear the baby's heart beating quickly at approximately 170 beats per minute.

I am now 10 weeks along and due on November 9th, 2010.

Kevin and I are beyond thrilled, scared to death, and extremely blessed!!!

My Handsome Husband...

2010-03-20T18:48:00.002-05:00

I'm very ashamed to say that I completely missed posting about the birthday of the most wonderful man in the world. My darling husband Kevin turned 29 yesterday! Happy Birthday Kevin! I love you more than you can ever know! I'm still sick and in my medicated state I haven't been quite on top of my game. I can't believe that this is the last year Kevin will be in his 20s! He is more handsome now than ever so I'm excited to see how much more better looking he gets as each year goes by.

One of the most memorable birthdays that Kevin has had in recent years wasn't exactly a pleasant memory but it was definitely one that neither of us will ever forget. On the evening of Kevin's birthday (March 19th, 2003) I was at home alone in our duplex in Bronte. Kevin and I had just married 4 months before and Kevin was 2 months into an overseas deployment with the Marines. I was chatting on the internet with my friend Sarah. Her husband Juan was on the same deployment as Kevin. The news was on the TV. I had it on constantly during that period of time. Trouble was brewing in the middle east and it wasn't looking like it was going to be settled peaceably any time soon. When I say I was a nervous wreck it is a HUGE understatement. Like saying that sound of a gunshot is the same as the click of a pen. It is crazy how we can remember some things so vividly while other instances fade into the background. That evening while I was holding my chihuahua Tootsie and chatting with Sarah the news flipped to a press conference that was being giving by then President George Bush.

I remember not being able to breathe as he began speaking, "My fellow citizens, at this hour American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger. On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign."

It was one of those moments that could have so easily been a bad dream but it wasn't. I knew what it meant and I knew at that moment that my life, Kevin's life, everyone's lives would never be the same. You see, Kevin's deployment hadn't gone like it was supposed to. Kevin was on a MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit). Typically the Marines board Navy ships which begin "a float" around different parts of the world. Kevin's previous deployment aboard the USS Cleveland took the Marines to many locations for short periods of time...Hawaii, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Guam, Saudia Arabia, and Jordan etc. On this deployment, the USS Rushmore had left San Diego, CA on January 6th, 2003 and stopped only briefly in Hawaii and Singapore for supplies before heading straight to the Persian Gulf. Kevin had been on dry land in Kuwait since before Valentine's Day. I knew at that moment that Kevin was headed into war.

Now one of the greatest things about my husband is that he is a man of many words. He LOVES to talk and he doesn't discriminate. He'll talk in person, on the phone, through email, and through snail mail. It was one of the reasons that Kevin and I became friends long before we ever began dating. Being that we spent a large portion of the beginning of our relationship separated by several states...communication is a very important thing. While Kevin was aboard the USS Rushmore we had been able to email almost everyday (depending upon the location of the ship) and speak on the phone every once in a while (phone calls were $1 per minute). Kevin began keeping a journal of his deployment and emailing it to me and others each day. When he left the ship and went into Kuwait he began handwriting his journal into a notebook he took with him. I loved receiving letters and updates from Kevin. Regular mail or snail mail as I refer to it most often usually took 2 weeks to arrive once mailed.

Because of his journaling, Kevin has quite an interesting account of his time in Iraq. I'm excited to say that he has decided to begin a blog where he will post his journal from the war online. His new blog is Send Me In, Just Watch My Six. I can't wait to start reading them again and want to encourage everyone to go take a look and show him some love with comments! I believe he is starting his posts from the very beginning of his deployment in January. He will be making his way through the start of the war and his trip home eventually. Please go check it out!

It is now time for me to take some more medicine sadly. I'm finally feeling a little better and actually got a decent nights sleep last night. (Just in time for Spring Break to be over! I'm glad I didn't have to take any sick days though.) Hopefully I will be back to blogging coherently soon. Take Care Everyone!

You might remember...

2010-03-17T13:17:00.003-05:00

If you have read my blog for any period of time you might remember this post. It is one of those ironic instances that I'm now about to write another post just like it. Last spring break I managed to come down with the worst case of strep throat I've ever had and a bad bronchial infection. Well fast forward a year and it is time for Spring Break once again. I woke up about 4 am on Saturday morning with the back of my throat and the roof of my mouth itching like crazy! I know exactly what that means so I got up and took a zyrtek-d to try and lesson the effects of the major allergy attack that was coming on. By the time I got up the next morning I already had the beginnings of a full blown chest cold. I have a PCP (primary case physician) that I see now so I decided to wait until Monday to see him instead of going to a walk in clinic. A lot of good that did because Monday morning my PCP coudn't see me until the next Thursday. So I ended up driving myself to the clinic anyway where I actually got seen really rapidly because I was wheezing so badly it freaked out the registration lady. The doc gave me an antibiotic, codeine cough syrup, sudafed, nose spray, an albuterol inhaler, and a shot in the hip. He told me to stay in bed through Wednesday and to keep the inhaler with me for the next 6 weeks because my infection is so bad that I will be having continued bronchial spasms until at least then. I actually managed to sleep for 3 straight hours the other night. That is the most at any one time so far. I guess I'm just doomed to always spend my spring break sick in bed. I'm just glad I'm not having to take any days off of work because of it. My voice has been gradually getting worse but it completely disappeared yesterday. I've been texting Kevin from across the room when I need to say something. Oh well...I'm just hoping it comes back before this weekend because Kevin's birthday is on friday and we're supposed to attend a wedding on saturday.

Let's catch up a little since my last post. Trip to Fort Worth with the BPA kids went great. They behaved like angels and we had a lot of fun. If anyone is ever in Fort Worth I highly suggested you check out the CSI exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze that is at the stockyards. The kids had so much fun! I was completely exhausted by the end of the trip though. We got home around 10:30 on Saturday night and I crashed for the rest of the weekend. This last week at school took forever and the kids acted HORRIBLE. I hate when they get spring fever. It is going to be a long 2 more months if they don't shape up. Well it is time for me to take more cough syrup and then I will be out. It makes me pretty loopy. Apparently I hung up on my mom yesterday while she was in the middle of talking but I don't remember even being on the phone. Hope everyone is having an enjoyable spring break!

On The Road Again...

2010-02-28T20:23:00.003-06:00

I wouldn't say I can't wait to get on the road again but that is where I will be shortly...BPA state competition is next week so in just few days I will loading buses with ever adorable teenagers to make the trek to Fort Worth. This is of course after administering TAKS tests all day long but that another topic I shall not rant about at this time. It should be enjoyable because we are taking some really good kids. I don't think that they will be much of a problem.

We are going to have a little free time during our trip so we're taking the kids to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. I've gone there once before during elementary school and really enjoyed it. The museum is hosting a special exhibit called CSI:The Experience until May and I'm really looking forward to seeing it. The exhibit arrived in Las Vegas almost immediately after we left there last summer and I was so disappointed we missed it. Tyly, if you or James like any crime shows I suggest you and James attend while you're in Vegas! I'll let y'all know if I liked it when we get back.

I was able to pick up my Tahoe from the body shop on Friday after school! It looks beautiful! I was so happy to be back in it instead of driving the tiny rental car they put me in. I don't know if I could ever go back to driving so low to the ground all of the time. I took it for a spin around town after picking it up just because I was enjoying it so much.

We've had an enjoyable weekend. We headed to Abilene on Saturday which was fun but unfortunately I managed to get sick and we didn't get to stay as long as we wanted. Today I slept in and around 12:30 my parents and brother came over to our house. I was so excited that they came to visit! Justin and I helped Mom cook chicken fried steak, gravy, salad, peas, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and macaroni and cheese! It was so bad for us yet so good. I made a peach cobbler for my dad and he liked it. We watched the olympic hockey game between Team USA and Team Canada while Justin and dad napped in the living room. I really enjoyed getting to have them over. I started slowly packing this weekend for our trip while Kevin is doing homework. My poor guy spends all his time doing homework. I'll be so glad when he's finished with school so he has a little time for himself. Works himself to death during the day, spends all evening in class, and then does homework all night long. I'd be a millionaire if I had a dollar for every time I've found him asleep in the computer chair in our office. A half typed sentence about biology (or whatever) will be on the screen. The first half of the sentence usually makes sense and the second half fades into gibberish. Right now he's scheduled to graduate with his associate degree after the 1st summer semester ends (beginning of July.) I'm going to throw him a huge party because I'm so proud of what he has accomplished while working full time! I could NEVER have done it!

The Honest Scrap Award

2010-02-16T17:24:00.009-06:00

Tyly gave me my first blog award! I'm so excited! I love reading her blog because she has such a sweet, funny, positive, and yet realistic view on things. You can't help but love her, so check out her blog! She will soon be known as Mrs. Crossland! Tell her congrats!

"The Honest Scrap award comes with a caveat or two. First, you have to tell your readers ten things about you they may not know, but that are true. Second, you have to tag 10 people with the award. Third, let all the people you've given the award to know that they've gotten it (comment on their blogs or something). And finally, make sure you link back to the person who awarded you."

I can already tell this is going to take me a while to figure out so here goes nothing...

1. I am by nature a VERY shy person. I have to MAKE myself speak to people and be sociable which is very hard. It takes me a long time to open up to people. I have gotten slightly better at being friendly as I get older but I'm not great at it.

2. When I graduated from HS I would have swore on the bible that I would NEVER NEVER NEVER be a high school teacher....

3. I refused to get my driver's permit for 7 months after turning 15 because I knew as soon as I got it that I would be stuck driving my brother and cousins all over the place. I was right... :)

4. Both of my grandmother's passed away within 2 weeks of each other when I was a sophomore in high school. My maternal grandmother and great-grandmother were both named Katy. My mom wants me to continue the tradition when I have kids but I don't know if I will. I act almost exactly like my paternal grandmother and am often called "Virginia" because of it. I adored those ladies and have never really recovered from their passing. I wish they could have met Kevin and seen all the things I've done in my life.

5. When I was 14, I tore a photo of a firefighter from New York City out of my People magazine "Sexiest Men Alive" issue and hung it on my closet door. It stayed there until I moved into my first apartment. During my 1st or 2nd year of college, I was surfing the net one day when I found the same picture. It said that "my firefighter" had been killed trying to rescue people in the World Trade Center towers on September 11th. I think that was the first moment that I truly realized how many lives had been lost that day.

6. I played varsity Golf in high school. I was not great but they needed enough people to make a team. I'm a competitive person but for some reason...not competitive when it comes to sports. I was the girl that always forgot when it was game day but would NEVER forget to do my homework.

7. I was required to take 1/2 semester of Ag in junior high. I hated everything about it. BUT...I beat almost every boy in my Ag class to win 3rd place for a log cabin birdhouse I built. Ha!

8. I have spent my entire life in West Texas. I attended K-grade 4 in Midland, TX and then my remaining school years in a tiny town called Bronte, Texas. I have not ever ridden a horse. I do not wear cowboy boots. I do not consider myself a country girl. I do consider myself a "southern girl."

9. I do not drive in large cities or towns. I will drive you all the way to the edge of town and then I will pull over and someone else has to drive. I'm too jumpy. You do not want me to drive.

10. I would really love to write a book someday and be a published author. I just don't think I could do it.

I'm going to tag several of my favorite blogs. There is really no rhyme or reason to my favorites except that I think they all are just great ladies. I'm sorry if you've already received it before! Do not repost if you are too busy or don't want to! I know several of my favorites just had babies or are about to pop. I just wanted y'all to know how much I enjoy your blogs!

In no particular order...
Bonnie at The Browns
Becky at The Branches
Kim at Thoughts By Kim
Anna at Your Little Birdie
Ashley at The Happy Little Home
Andrea at My Chihuahua Bites!
Cassandra at My Cup Runneth Over
Sarah at In Light Of The Truth
Marlayna at The Schoenfields
Amy at The Holifield Clan

Tyly would most certainly been on this list had she not already tagged me...

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T23:30:00.002-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! I don't know about y'all but I have the world's best Valentine. He gorgeous, sweet, funny, smart, caring, my hero, and most importantly...my best friend. He's a great husband, son, brother, friend, and employee. He takes care of me and provides great things in our life. He is a great daddy to our doggies and will someday, when God decides so, be a great dad to our children. He's patriotic and a great American. There's no way to really sum up how great he is and how lucky I am to have him as my Valentine...but today...I'm trying my best. I love you Kevin! Thank you for being my Valentine for the last 9 years!

Black Angus

2010-02-14T01:19:00.003-06:00

Well we're finally home. I've been gone to a educational techology conference in Austin all week. Kevin picked me up in Austin on Friday for a little Valentine's weekend mini vacation. We had a really enjoyable time until tonight. We were driving home tonight around 9:30 in between Eden and Brady when as we came around a curve a Black Angus cow stepped in front of our Tahoe. We hit the cow but lucky it was just a glancing blow and not a direct hit. The front of my Tahoe is smushed and along the passenger side. Just a few more inches and it could have been a very, very bad situation. A car was following right behind us and it hit the cow head on and flipped over and landed on its hood. Kevin pulled over and ran to help the other car while I called 911 on Onstar. Everyone is ok but is very shaken up. I had to crawl out the driver's side of the car from the back seat because my door won't open. We are so so so lucky to be alive right now. The cow was pregnant and about to give birth anyday so she was even more huge than normal. They towed our car to Eden since that was the closest town. I'm posting pic of our car but it is so dark you can't really see much. Maybe I'll go back to Eden tomorrow and take pictures in the daylight. Hopefully I'll be back to post tomorrow about my conference and our mini vacation like I was planning on doing.

Free Sister Hazel 20 song download-TODAY ONLY!

2010-02-12T11:47:00.003-06:00

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Sister Hazel. It was one of the first concerts I went to as a teenager and I could listen to every song they write all day long. Lisa at Fantabulously Frugal posted that amazon was giving away a download of their newest cd today only! I'm sitting in the lobby of the Hilton in downtown Austin waiting for Kevin to pick me up so I used their wifi to quickly get the mp3s. I had to download the amazon mp3 downloader but it worked great and put the songs right into my iTunes! I'm so excited! 20 songs on a brand new collection from Sister Hazel! Absolutely Free! Go HERE NOW!

One of the best parts of today...

2010-02-07T19:27:00.000-06:00

My Choice

2010-02-07T11:14:00.004-06:00

When you're a high school teacher, one of the biggest topics of conversation with teenagers is sports. I'm no sports reporter but I do keep my eye on a couple of teams. For the last 2 weeks, every teenage boy who walks into my classroom immediately says, "Hey Mrs. J, Saints or Colts?" As with anything else...lol...I never give them the answer immediately. I said that I would tell them after they finish their project. ha (If I don't agree with them...it'll just give them a reason to complain...lol) So on thursday as soon as the first couple of students started finishing their project, they were immediately waiting for my answer so the big debate could get started in the classroom.

Now...anyone that knows me or has read my facebook status...knows that I have a deep and sincere dislike for Michael Vick. He makes my blood boil. Don't start trying to defend him. We won't get anywhere. It was his money and his land that made all that abuse possible. He should know what goes on with his stuff. Period.

So now that I've gone off on that tangent...what does it have to do with my choice of superbowl champion? Last September, the Eagles made one of the stupidest changes they've ever made with their lineup. They dropped Hank Baskett to let a dog abuser into their lineup. Hank was subsequently picked up by the Colts and has spent the last year in whirlwind of marriage and parenthood. So...my choice this year has absolutely nothing to do with the skill of playing football. I think it is absolutely hilarious that Hank is now on one of this year's Superbowl contenders while Michael Vick is not. Although I love Drew Brees and the fleur de lis...

I hope the Colts win today!

I would love nothing more than for Hank Baskett to have a Superbowl ring for this year while Michael Vick does not! lol Yeah I know my reasoning this year is crazy...but..it is what it is. My mom and dad are coming over to watch the Superbowl with us today! I'm so excited!

Silly me...

2010-01-24T22:55:00.003-06:00

I forgot to mention that 2 of the 3 students I took to contest on Friday advanced to State competition! I wish I knew how they actually placed but they don't announce that information. Oh well...I'm very proud teacher right now! Out of the 17 students we took from our school 8 advanced to state! So that means an overnight trip...ugh...3 nights in Fort Worth. 2 days off from school though!

Oh yeah and if anyone actually reads this...please help with some ideas for an Austin area mini vacation! See previous post!

Need Some Advice...

2010-01-23T19:45:00.002-06:00

Kevin and I need a little vacation. In February I will be going to a weeklong (M-F) conference in Austin with the other BCIS teachers at my school. We have a 3 day weekend immediately after the conference (Valentine's Day Weekend). Kevin and I have talked about him picking me up in Austin on Friday, spending the weekend, and driving home monday. The problem is...we don't know what we would do. Stay in Austin, go to Fredericksburg, go to San Marcos... I know we could go shopping in San Marcos! :) But what else is there to do? Should we stay in Austin? Any ideas? Help Please! Anyone?!

A follower once again...lol

2010-01-21T13:21:00.002-06:00

You might notice that I'm following a few new blogs...I did a little websurfing last night and stumbled upon them. I was really enjoying reading when I realized that one is having a giveaway! It has lots of great stuff in it! I'm really hoping I get it because I love Burt's Bees stuff! Go take a look!

Longest Short Week Ever

2010-01-20T19:16:00.003-06:00

Hi everyone...well my last post was pretty depressing so I thought I should change it up a bit...a post where I complain...oops...guess I did it again! lol No, things really are pretty good. My students have been behaving and while they have small bouts of spring fever it really hasn't gotten bad yet. We were off last monday so it was a nice long weekend. This week will be ultra short at work because on Friday I will be gone taking my students to BPA contest. Still working but not "at work" in the classroom. A nice change but a more stressful one. lol The bus loads @ 4:45 am and pulls away @ 5 am so I will be waking at 3 am on Friday morning. Yay...and because my co-sponsors have families and other "engagements" I get to ride the bus back home alone with the kids at 10 pm (yep approximately 17 hours...you counted correctly). Yay again. It is going to be one tiring day. Oh well...I don't mind helping. My co-sponsors have helped me a ton with lesson plans and cools ideas this year so I feel like I'm paying my dues. We really have good kids so I don't anticipate having any trouble with them and I'm hoping my guys will advance. It would be a pretty amazing feat I think considering they had an inexperienced sponsor (my first year of BPA). If so I will be gone for 4 days during March. I'm also going to be gone for a week next month for a conference (leaving Kevin :( all by his lonesome). We willl see. I'm sure my students will do well. Wish us luck!!!

The rest of the story...

2010-01-10T15:49:00.002-06:00

Now...onto the rest of the story. Like I said before I have a little spare time this afternoon and I'm using it to plan a menu, blog, and go grocery shopping. There are several reasons that I have some time today so I guess I'll go through them one by one....

-My house is clean. Not perfect or organized but acceptable so I'm content.

-Kevin has gone with my brother to their "lease" to watch wildlife today. Not everyone knows but Kevin has PTSD from the invasion of Iraq and had a panic attack while deer hunting several years ago and really hasn't been back since then. He loved hunting so it was very sad to see but he seems very excited to be going today.

-I've made the decision to take the spring semester of grad school off. I'm kind of at a crossroads in my graduate education. I applied to school on a whim and then didn't finish my application because I couldn't decide if Instructional Technology was the program I wanted to enter. Unexpectedly I was accepted anyway and then even received what I now realize is a pretty prestigious scholarship that allows me to take classes part time...so I enrolled. I've reach a point where I've got to decide for sure if Instructional Technology is definitely the program I want or to transfer programs. I think I want to be a high school guidance counselor. I really need some time to think and deal with a few things that are going on. I've been praying for some kind of guidance. I made the final decision after contacting the admin office for my scholarship and finding out that they would defer my scholarship until the summer for me to use and that I could still continue to receive it each following year should I return. I was so thankful.

-Last week was the first week back at work. My students were very good overall and I was happy to see them. My schedule is the same this semester so it should go well.

-The holiday season went well but was a little trying at times. Dealing with company and traveling is always stressful. I have wonderful family but I've had a little inner turmoil that made things harder.

-I guess the "inner turmoil" I've been talking about is the fact that this month Kevin and I made our first medically assisted attempt at having a baby and it didn't work. At this point we spent just about 2 years trying without any medical assistance. I was put on clomid by my doctor but I still never ovulated. I've always known I have problems but deep in my heart I hoped that the medicine would be the cure. I spent day after day testing with the ovulation sticks just to get the same answer over and over. It was heartbreaking. I don't think we will be taking anything again for a while. I need some time. I'm dieting again and taking the time off with school so I can focus on letting God heal my heart.

-I thought I was dealing with our disappointment well and pretending like it didn't bother me but apparently I wasn't. On the final day we found out for sure that it didn't work we went to dinner with a mutual friend of Kevin and I and it ended badly. After I'd spent an hour listening to them tell me how weird, stupid, and untrustworthy that Kevin and I are...I finally just stood up and left. Walked right out in the middle of their sentence. I got so angry listening to someone talk to Kevin that way. That is usually the way it goes...call me stupid...fine...but do not talk to Kevin like that. So I'm sure our friend is mad but I'm too hurt to care. As I sat there listening to them, I had this revelation that since they said those things...they must not have ever really known me as well as I thought they did. Sure, I was probably emotional from knowing that our attempt didn't work but I know I would've still been disappointed in the way they acted anyway. I don't know if the friendship will ever be the same. Now I've heard that our friend is hurting for other reasons than our fight and my initial reaction is to want to comfort them but I really don't know what to do. I don't know if I can.

So that is our life right now. In the middle of needing to make decisions & continue with life when I just want to sleep constantly because that is the only time it doesn't hurt. Thankfully the scholarship deferment has eased the stress a little. I'm looking forward to having some time this semester to cook and spend time with Kevin. We need it.

Menu Plan Monday 1/11/10

2010-01-10T14:56:00.006-06:00

*Updated to reflect my grocery store finds!!!

Well I'm very happy to be able to write this post and linking to OrgJunkie's blog (I'll do this tomorrow.) I have a little time this afternoon...I'll explain why in my next post...but first I want to get my menu posted so those uninterested in my personal life can finish looking it over quickly.

Monday-Shrimp & Zucchini Bowtie Pasta
Tuesday-Chicken & Wild Mushroom and Orzo in Balsamic Cream Sauce
Wednesday-Crock Pot Minestrone Soup
Thursday-Out to eat because it's my Birthday! I will be 26 years old!
Friday-Leftovers!

That is our simple menu plan for this week. It's my first time back in a while so I'm not going to get over ambitious.

All of Me

2010-01-05T17:48:00.006-06:00

Decade in Review

2009-12-30T22:01:00.004-06:00

Updated: I remembered a few more things!

Ashley at The Happy Little Home wrote a neat post about her decade "in review". I thought it was a great idea and wanted to steal it for my own. It was pretty difficult to remember things. 2004 was especially blank for some reason but I’m proud for getting down as much as I did!

2000:
• Turned 16 & got my driver’s license.
• Got my first car: My grandma’s red Ford T-Bird.
• Started my Junior year of high school.

2001:
• Received “the” email from Kevin that began our “romantic” relationship on April 1st and thought he was joking.
• Visited New York City at the beginning of July.
• Started my senior year of high school.
• Found out about 9/11 while walking to my locker after 1st period Spanish class.
• Traveled to visit Kevin in California for the 1st time.

2002:
• Spent many hours in airports and on planes between here and California.
• Graduated from High School as Valedictorian of my class.
• Debated scholarships at Baylor, Texas Tech, and ASU.
• Moved into my first apartment in June.
• Kevin and I became engaged in July.
• Started college at ASU in August.
• Married the love of my life in November.
• Honeymooned in the mountains of California.
• Receive Tootsie as a present from my parents and Kevin.
• Spent my first Christmas away from my family in California with Kevin.
• Whew, this was a busy year!

2003:
• Watched Kevin leave for deployment at beginning of January.
• Continued college…
• Kevin entered Iraq on the first day of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Changed my major to Business from Early Childhood Education.
• Met Kevin’s ship in Hawaii on the 4th of July when he returned from Iraq.
• Spent summer in California with Kevin, Sarah, and Juan.
• Drove home with Kevin when he got out of the Marines.
• Bought our first home in December.

2004:
• Continued college…
• We went to Buick Nationals in Bowling Green, Kentucky with my parents and brother.
• Inducted into Alpha Chi National Honor Society for being in the top 10% of Jrs and Srs at ASU.
• Kevin has panic attack and is diagnosed with PTSD. Scariest day of my life...

2005:
• Continued College…
• Took 18 hours in one semester and made a 4.0 GPA.
• Turned 21 that very same semester…
• Had my first car accident when a teenage girl ran a stop sign.
• Received Reese as a 3rd Anniversary present.
• My Grandpa died on Thanksgiving Day.
• Graduated from ASU in December with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration.
• Started my first “real” job helping teenagers stay in school and find jobs.

2006:
• Sold our first house. Bought our current home.
• Had my second car accident when I hydroplaned in the rain.
• Started working in Accounting.
• Went to Las Vegas with my family & Lacy and Dusty.

2007:
• Bought my Chevrolet Tahoe.
• Returned to school to complete my teaching certificate.
• Kevin and I cruised to Puerto Progresso and Cozumel with Lacy & Dusty.
• We used the cruise to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary…
• Found Gracie by the highway and tried to find her owners but Kevin bought her a bed and dog tags.
• Got my first job as a high school business teacher.

2008:
• Joined Weight Watchers and lost 40 pounds but fell of the horse and haven’t lost anymore.
• Started Blogging
• Survived my first year teaching and loved it.
• Made the hard decision to leave Eden.
• Began teaching computers to Pre-K and Elementary Students.
• Stood as Matron of Honor in Lacy and Dusty’s wedding.
• Traveled to Washington D.C. and Quantico, VA to see Kevin's picture hanging in the United States Marine Corps Museum.

2009:
• Started graduate school at Texas Tech University.
• Kevin started college at Howard.
• Taught Kids Kollege and Senior Adult summer classes for ASU.
• Kevin and I went to Aerosmith and ZZ Top concert in Las Vegas.
• Started my current teaching assignment.
• 10 year anniversary of the death of my Grandma and Gran-Gran.
I hate that they missed so much and miss them everyday.

2010:
I'm praying that 2010 will bring positive, happy, and exciting events in my life and the lives of those I love!!!

The many names of...

2009-12-29T22:59:00.005-06:00

The first time we met...everyone knew him as Riley.

The second time we met...he went by the name Ace.

Our most recent meeting...his buddies called him Doug.

But his momma named him Justin...

and I think he is absolutely ADORABLE!!!

Although I would never trade my Kevin for anything in the world...

Justin Bartha is soooooo cute!!!

Does anyone agree???

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-24T11:30:00.000-06:00

Gracie, Reese, and Tootsie 2008

I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! We are celebrating with our families right now and I hope you are celebrating with yours. I'm setting this to auto post on Christmas Eve because I know we will be busy. I was given this poem by a friend this year and I wanted to post for everyone to read. I loved it and it helps us remember what our focus should be this season. God Bless!!!

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home,
and give all that I have to charity;
but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir cantata,
but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love does not envy another's home that has coordinated
Christmas china and table linens.
Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return;
but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust;
but giving the gift of love will endure forever!

Holiday Photo Contest

2009-12-20T21:01:00.000-06:00

Updated: Kevin entered another picture of our three girls in the contest also so we would appreciate it if you voted for Reese's picture or the picture of Gracie, Reese, and Tootsie! Thanks!!!

Kevin and I entered a picture of our dog in a Holiday Photo contest. I know we're goofy but we would love it if you would go vote for Reese! If she wins the will put her picture in the paper. You have to register to vote but can vote once everyday until the contest ends at the end of the year!!! I would appreciate it!

It's Christmas Time Again!

2009-12-19T19:53:00.004-06:00

I love the holidays! Seeing family and friends and the overall good cheer (of most people) just makes me so happy! I've been Christmas shopping today for my adorable husband and I was so happy to have a little money to get him some things he would like. I'm even more grateful especially after last year when we felt money constraints the hardest. I know that there are many people that have a hard time during the holidays due to many reasons be it financial, distance, or any other. It makes me realize how blessed I am to have all the many great things that make up my life. I have an amazing husband, brother, mom, and dad. My in-laws are so sweet and and I have friends that I would do anything for and can count on.

I have a job that I love and can say I enjoy even when it wears me out. It is few and far between but I literally get to see the effect I have on a students life. I've been working with a senior boy helping him complete a credit he needed to graduate early. He had been struggling with completion and had no plans for after graduation. His parents are not in the picture and his elderly grandmother really didn't know where to start. He is really intelligent and could do great things but just had no one to help him. I talked with him about college, financial aid, and helped him fill out an application and his other paperwork. He now has classes figured out and financial aid on the way. On Thursday he came in for his final exam to complete his coursework. I helped him complete his remaining assignments and gave him his grade. Once I told him he was a graduate he got so excited that he ran across the room and gave me a big hug while I stood there shocked. He thanked me so much for the help and said he was coming to visit in the spring so I could see how well he was doing in school. I'm glad I have a job where I actually can do something to improve the lives of others.

I'd be lying though if I said that everything is wonderful during this time of year. Sometimes it can makes things that we perceive are missing in our lives seem even more obvious. I catch myself looking at baby clothes or toys sometimes while shopping or wishing I had someone to read the nativity story to and then get a little pain in my heart but I remind myself that God has a plan for my life. If the only children I am meant to help are my students then he will help me do that to the best of my ability. I hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas and remembering the reason for the season. I'll be back again soon since school is out for Christmas break. Enjoy the picture of our Christmas tree. It was taken with my cell phone so once again not great quality but I loved how you can see Reese peaking in at the bottom of the picture. Until next time...

This makes me so upset!

2009-12-19T10:00:00.000-06:00

There are a handful of things in the world that get me really upset but this is one of them. I hope whoever did that to this cat has something horrible happen to them! I have a HUGE soft spot for animals and anytime I hear of their mistreatment I just get furious!

As I was leaving work the other day I saw a boxer puppy that was about 5 months old running around on Armstrong (the 5 lane road next to the school). It almost got hit twice and still didn't run out of the road so I turned the car around and tried to get it out of the road. It ran up to a house facing the street so I got back in the car and started to leave but then it ran in the road again! I got out and chased it back up the same driveway again and this time I chased it all the way up to the front door. This is where I proceeded to knock and ask the homeowner if it was there dog. Once they confirmed that it was I told them that the dog had been playing in the street and had almost gotten run over several times. The owner said he was sorry and put the dog in the backyard. My mom was FURIOUS! She said I could've been murdered but I was so mad I just wanted it to be safe. My miniature schnauzer Gracie is an escape artist and has gotten out when people (Kevin's coworkers etc) have left our gate open but I never just left them play in the front yard! He acted like he was just annoyed that I rang his bell! Ugh! Well that is just my vent for today!

BB

2009-12-09T21:33:00.003-06:00

Hi my name is Katy and I am a BB. Yep, you heard me...a bad blogger. Although it isn't the only facet of my life that lacks attention it does make me feel guilty. Things have been going well but very busy. The holidays are always crazy with traveling, shopping, cooking, etc...
Updates:
-I got my wedding ring back the day school got out for Thanksgiving.
-My oven was returned in working order early in November.
-I had a wonderful time celebrating my 7th wedding anniversary with Kevin!
-My brother is doing fantastic in his firefighter recruit training.
-I got an A in my graduate class this semester.
-I really need to suck it up and take more classes in the spring or I'll never graduate.
-Work has been going well. Today was a little rough...I was assigned an extra "duty" today. We'll talk about that later.
-I'm feeling old. I'll be 26 next month and Kevin will be 29 in March. I know we're not...but I can't help feeling that way.
-I've been keeping up with everyone's wonderful blogs but I just never seem to think of something to write for myself.
-A few exciting but messy projects have been underway in our house since December 1st. It looks like a bomb has gone off in my guest bedroom and most everywhere else. I'll fill you in on the details and post pictures this weekend. It should be almost complete by then.
-Everyone should go see the blindside as quickly as possible. It is the best movie of the year. (Yes I've seen New Moon. Adore the books but the movie was lacking details I love.)

Now, off to bed I go. I've been all warm and snuggly in my soft pj's and robe wrapped up in a down comforter with my girls and now I'm sleepy.

4 regular school days and 3 days of finals (2 of which are half days) to go! Just gotta make it a little bit longer!!!

7 years...

2009-11-09T20:43:00.000-06:00

On this day...7 years ago...I married my best friend. The best decision I've ever made in my entire life. I married the sweetest, kindest, most honest, hardworking, honorable, and perfect man for me. I love you Kevin! You've made the last 7 years the most amazing years of my life!

So I wanted to make breakfast burritos this morning...

2009-10-25T09:08:00.006-05:00

I walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and started mentally going over what I would need to make them. Eggs...check, cheese...check, sausage...check, tortillas...ugh oh. No tortillas! I started to pout and told Kevin that I couldn't make burritos because of lack of tortillas. He asked if the sausage was already cooked. Huh? I was confused. I said no. He said, "well how are you going to cook it?" This is the point where I turned to point at the stove and saw this...

Ugh! I still do not have an oven or stove which in my sleepy stupor I completely forgot. If you'll remember, we had the great kitchen fire of 2009 where a great cake recipe turned into this...

Our oven hasn't been cooking correctly for a while and the cake was just the final straw. Kevin took the oven to a repair shop in town early last week to try and get it repaired. Friday it STILL was not ready. They MAY work on it Monday afternoon. Needless to say it has been microwaved frozen dinners or eating out for us this week and I'm sick of it.

I'm really considering replacing ALL of our kitchen appliances. We bought them brand new in 2006 and the fridge has broken twice, now the oven, and the microwave will only work on one power level. Once we fix everything I want to list the range, refrigerator, dishwasher (from previous owner), and microwave for sale. I've been trying to look at the cost of appliances though and they are just so expensive. I really want stainless steel appliances but the cost! So while I'm moping about the cost of appliances I see that Mckmama and Stephanie are reviewing gorgeous refrigerators that they were given for free! PLEASE SOMEONE GIVE ME A REFRIGERATOR! I really want to get the fridge that they got but I'm sure it is out of my price range. They are offering the chance to win a $200 gift card to best buy and I'm going to enter. Head on over and enter yourself AND you can donate an appliance to me if you feel like it. :)

Teachers of the world...I need your opinion!

2009-10-19T20:38:00.003-05:00

I very rarely read the newspaper but I read the news on the web constantly. I saw this article today and it really made my blood boil. I don't see how they think they saved 250,000 teaching jobs. Are all the millions of students in the world going to go up in smoke over the summer? Are all teachers going to be magically able to teach 80 students at a time now instead of 30? I thought they were going on and on about how all teachers are incompetent and need to be completely overhauled but now we're so great that we could afford to lose that many of us and still teach all the learners in the world? They can say that the stimulus saved jobs all they want but it doesn't matter. Sure, lay off 250,000 teachers because of budgets and pretend like the remaining would be able to handle what it left. It wouldn't happen. It isn't physically possible. I hate it when they make ridiculous claims in order to make themselves look good. That is just my opinion but I'm more than willing to listen to others who disagree. What do y'all think? I'm going to copy and paste the article below in case the link stops working...

White House: Stimulus Spending Saved 250,000 Teaching Jobs
Report concludes that money sent to states paid teacher salaries.

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration says spending aimed at boosting the economy has created or saved 250,000 teaching or other education jobs this year.

A White House report released Monday concludes that money from a $787 billion stimulus package has helped states fill budget gaps that would have cost teachers their jobs in school districts and public universities across the country.

The 250,000 figure is significantly higher than the 30,000 jobs the administration said last week were created or saved by businesses that won federal contracts under the stimulus law. It also represents an early preview of jobs numbers being announced in two weeks associated with education spending and federal grants awarded under the stimulus effort.

Sonogram

2009-10-12T21:38:00.003-05:00

Ok so I spoke a little about female issues in my last post. I called my nurse practitioner's (Kelly) office today and spoke with the main nurse since Kelly wasn't there today. The nurse was concerned and scheduled me to come in for a sonogram. The 22nd is the soonest they could get me in without me having to miss work. I was worried about the situation but her reaction scared me a little bit more. I was hoping she was going to tell me that it was just normal as my body adjusts to changes in meds and whatnot but no such luck. If the pain becomes unbearable or if the symptoms worsen I'm supposed to call as soon as possible. Please pray that the symptoms let up because they are making my days at work very miserable and that after the sonogram we will learn everything is ok. I'm really hoping it is nothing.

How things have been...

2009-10-10T22:36:00.004-05:00

Well I know posts have been very sporadic & random on here lately and I'm sorry about that. Things at school have been really going remarkably well. My largest class has 19 students. I teach around 72 students each day which the is smallest number of students I've ever had. I make 1 set of lesson plans every week and now that Ms. Allen (another BCIS teacher) is back it goes much more quickly. We actually sat down and planned out the entire month of October on the 1st. Grading has me a little swamped but I'm definitely doing better than my first year. Grading in BCIS courses is so subjective. There isn't always one correct answer so sometimes it can take a VERY long time. Oct 2nd was the last week of the 1st six weeks and I was so proud because I actually had all my grading done and my grades verified before I left school that day. I have never before not graded all weekend at the end of a grading period.

I spent so much time on procedures at the beginning of the year that class goes really smoothly. My students walk in immediately get to work quietly on the focus activity...I introduce the lesson...we practice together and then they pick up their assignment and work quietly. It almost seems to good to be true! Sometimes I can't believe it is my classroom. Now that is my BCIS classes. My credit recovery classes are not quite the same. I am basically just administrating & grading self paced computer based courses. I have a few students that will do anything to get out of doing their work. One period is extremely small with only 3 students and last week we had a little wild day. I won't say exactly what happened but I will let you know that I walked the entire class down to visit the principal last Thursday and then Friday the students that were there behaved much better.

The district's administration walks through classrooms monthly in our town. I wrote in a previous post how I had my first administrative walk through with one of the district's assistant superintendents a few weeks ago and she gave me a really great appraisal! I was so excited! I was even more excited when I received my first paycheck on the 23rd! I haven't received a real paycheck since MAY so it was a welcome relief. I received a few small checks for my summer work but nothing substantial. I was thrilled when I realized that my bring home pay was literally twice the amount than my bring home pay from Eden was. Don't get me wrong...there are other school districts that make much more than we do but it is still much more than I've made so far. Kevin and I have been using every penny to pay towards the debt we acquired while I was making so little at Trinity.

Grad school is still going okay. This semester has a lot of time consuming projects but I wouldn't say it is the most difficult stuff I've ever done. I am required to post every assignment to a website I created and that can be a little blah but I guess it could be worse.

Lacy and Dusty wanted us to go on a cruise with them at Christmas but Kevin and I decided we really need to pay for some other things first because everything is breaking around here. At one point my laptop, the oven, microwave, elliptical, lawn mower, and my wedding ring were broken. Now somethings are partly working...some are completely out of commission. My oven has been on the fritz for several months and as I said before it finally caught on fire a few weeks ago. The fire was contained inside and put itself out but it smoked up the whole house and now will not bake anything. You can heat things up but it will not maintain temperature to bake. We cannot change the power settings on the microwave anymore. The elliptical now makes a terrible thumping noise when you try to use it. The lawn mower has been completely out of commission for several months and since we have just over a half acre lot...we have been having to borrow our neighbors riding lawnmower. The laptop I use for my grad classes hit its last leg last month so Kevin bought me a new one. I am now the proud owner of a Macbook Pro and I love it. When it rains...it pours. Obviously the most important things are getting fixed first. My poor elliptical is sitting dormant until it can be fixed. It has warranty but I think there is a copay so it is waiting its turn. We have to get a lawn mower next but I'm hoping we can wait until they go on sale in the off season.

I have been having some bothersome female issues in the last month. One day was so bad I almost had to leave school. I'm going to call my doctor to ask what is going on because one of the symptoms started again last night. I already worry so much about the problems I have and the effects it will have on our ability to have children...issues like this make me just scared to death. I'm scheduled to go back to the doctor in Midland in November. I have been desperately trying to continue losing weight before then but it hasn't been happening. Eating out really hasn't been helping. I have days when I just get so down on our situation. I hear and see more and more people being able to plan exactly when they will be having children and it happening so quickly. I get so frustrated sometimes because people will say..."we can't do that next August because I will be pregnant then." Even Lacy has started saying things like that and as happy as I would be for her it also is heartbreaking. If I thought that way I would spend my entire life not doing anything and being disappointed. It just isn't that easy for us.

Kevin is busy with school and work. He works all day and then goes to school from 4-8 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. He is on track to graduate with his associates next summer. We don't know if he'll continue on to his bachelors or not. I guess we'll decide when that time comes. I'm so proud of him for working so hard. I think this semester has been much better for him than the summer was. His online class is not nearly as hard as the previous ones have been.

My parents and brother enjoyed their cruise and Justin has started at the fire department. I think he is really enjoying it so far and I'm so proud of him. I miss getting to spend time with my parents since I'm working so much but I know its a necessity.

Overall I'm really tired but happy. I cannot believe this school year has been going so well. I really don't know if I'm better at what I do or if the kids that much different. Lets just hope the rest of the year continues on the same path. Until next time...

Meal Kits

2009-10-10T21:45:00.002-05:00

I have been having a hard time finding time for grocery shopping since school started. Between spending 10 hours at work a day and then doing grad school homework at night and all weekend we have been eating out WAY more than we need to. That is not good for our wallet or our waistline. There are some night when even though I have the energy to cook...I don't have anything to cook and our house is at least 15 minutes away from the nearest Walmart (we live on the edge of town opposite BOTH Walmarts and HEB).

One night after updating my facebook status about picking up take out when I was heading home at 9 pm, I got an email from my 2nd cousin. She wanted to let me know that she had been making and selling meal kits for the last 2 years and I should try it out. Basically she prepares a variety of main course meals and sells 10 meals for $90. Each meal serves 2-3. We have a similar company in town that is called "Preppers" and I've wanted to try it. It does basically the same thing but is much more expensive so Kevin and I decided to order from my cousin this week. We picked 10 items off the menu and we got them today. It is such a relief to know that dinner is taken care of next week. It ends up costing about $3 per serving. The meals can be frozen so we'll have the option to save some and pull them out when it is really busy. They have the directions for heating written on the top of each one so Kevin can even pull one out and start it heating when I'm not home yet. We have a wide variety of meals to choose from. I'll list what we bought below.

Gumbo with Chicken, Shrimp, and Sausage
Grilled Chicken Roll-ups (Chicken stuffed with chicken & bacon then grilled)
White Chicken Chili
Parmesan Chicken with Spaghetti & Marinara
Ham & Potato Casserole
Swedish Meatballs with Egg Noodles
King Ranch Casserole
Enchilada Casserole
Chicken Spaghetti
Cheeseburger Roll-Up

I'm sad because I really do love to cook and can prepare several of the meals we purchased but I just haven't had as much time to menu plan and shop lately much less cook. I'm thankful for the opportunity to purchase these every once in a while to keep us stocked in a pinch but I'm really hoping that as I get better at work (ie quicker & better routine) that we can get back to menu planning and cooking because I really miss it.

Shattered Diamonds

2009-09-26T11:05:00.007-05:00

Update: Kay's called and my ring won't be back until December 19th!!! It is ridiculous that it takes that long! I guess I'll decide what to do after I finally get it back. Ugh!

So I almost started crying on Thursday on school and no it wasn't because of my students. I went to the bathroom during lunch and was putting my ring back on after washing my hands when I dropped my wedding band. I had already gotten the engagement ring on but when the wedding band fell it hit the tile floor in the hallway. It gave a little bounce and landed right back where it had hit. I've dropped my rings before so I wasn't that worried but when I picked it up I noticed that the center stone had fallen out. I looked on the floor and was able to find the stone but when I picked it up I noticed that almost the entire top half of the stone had broken off. I was so upset!

I tried to find the other part of the diamond but the only thing else on the floor was a tiny pile of diamond dust. Luckily Kevin has my ring insurance through Kays Jewelry and through our insurance company. We took the ring to Kays and they looked at the ring said it would be fixed and they would get us a new diamond with the same cut, clarity, etc as our current stone and it wouldn't cost anything. whew...BUT it has to be sent off and I won't get it back until November 1st. :( I love my rings but the stones have gotten loose several times. Each time they have to be tightened I end up being with out it for quite a while. I'm starting to wonder if the problem is the way the stones are set in the band. The wedding band has what I believe are called pressure settings (kind of hard to explain) while the engagement ring has 4 prong settings.

Part of me thinks that I should have my stones set into a different more secure setting but another part loves my rings just the way they are. It is just so frustrating that they have to be sent off all of the time. This is probably the 6th time they been sent off to be fixed although I've never had a main stone come all the way out before. I'm going to include pictures that I got from the Kays website so you can see the settings. Mine aren't exactly what is shown because the stone size isn't correct and I have platinum bands but you can at least get an idea. What do ya'll think? Has anyone else had this problem? Are they going to be loose all the time no matter the setting? I'd appreciate some input.

OMG

2009-09-26T10:10:00.003-05:00

Oh my gosh, I was watching the best tv clips of the week on people.com when I came across this one. I have not watched Glee before but I just set up a recording for next week because this is hilarious! It is a little slow getting started but wait for it.The funny part starts about 2:30. It is so worth it! lol

Just a little smoke...

2009-09-22T19:14:00.003-05:00

Ok I'll start out with this...
Yes, there was a fire in my oven on Sunday. No, it wasn't my fault. Everything is ok. Just a little smoke...
Well that is the gist of the story but there really is so much more. On sunday, Kevin and I decided to bake a cake. We have had this cake before and it is WONDERFUL! We made it for my dad's birthday and he absolutely loved it! I whipped it up very quickly and popped it in the oven BUT...you might have heard me mention before that my oven has kinda been on the fritz. It isn't getting hot enough. I set it for 350...it gets to 315... Well apparently my cake boiled instead of baking and it boiled right over onto the heating elements. From this point the cake proceeded to catch on fire and completely fill my house with smoke. Kevin and I walked into the kitchen when we smelled smoke and I'm not kidding when I say we had the world's best camp fire going in the oven. We both stood for a few seconds with our mouths hanging open before busting into laughter. I think we were more stunned than anything when we realized that the fire was confined inside the oven. It burned for a few minutes and then suffocated itself after it ran out of oxygen. There was smoke EVERYWHERE! We opened every door and window and set up air movers (the big blue fans that Kevin uses for work) all over the house. We haven't tried the oven again but I'm guessing that it is time to call a repair man. What do you think? :) The worst part...Kevin and I STILL really wanted that cake!!! I'm so tempted to go to my brother's house and bake it! Yes...I realize we have a problem.

New job is going really fantastic. I don't know if I'm better or if the kids are afraid but everything is running smoothly. I'm enjoying the kids, working my butt off, and exhausted but having a blast. My schedule was finally settled at Credit Recovery and BCIS. I do CR for 2 classes in the morning and then 4 BCIS afterward. I've been having a little trouble lesson planning because we still do not have textbooks but as of today...one of the other BCIS teachers that was having to teach math is now back on her regular schedule. This will help me a ton in time and stress. They are sending all over the place already this year. I have a field trip tomorrow for BPA, a tech prep workshop, a tech prep field trip, a new cte teacher conference in Austin, and then a BIG technology conference in February. That is what was put on the schedule in just last week. I'm enjoying the big school pep rallies! They are much bigger than any pep rally I've seen but not necessarily more fun. We have a good time though. The big school hasn't really been a factor. I've still got some great kids and some exhausting ones. I had my first appraisal yesterday in the form of an admin walkthrough from the building where school board members meet. I thought that I completely blew it but today I received my results and I got fantastic results! They told me that I did a great job! I was so thrilled! Lets only hope that everything else goes as well.

My darling parents and brother are relaxing their days away on the ocean right now. They up and decided to go on a cruise last week and left on Sunday. They called today from Key West and are having a blast! Oh what I would give to be on that boat right now. As sick as I was with allergies, our last cruise was still the most relaxing vacation I've ever had and I can't wait to go again someday. Justin starts with the fire department on October 1st so this is his last hurrah for a while and I'm glad they are having fun. Well I've got to get back to my shows now. Season premieres are keeping me busy...Bones, House, NCIS, NCIS:LA, Big Bang Theory...oh yeah and that little thing called grad school. lol Well until we meet again...

Crazy Cat...

2009-09-12T11:14:00.004-05:00

Well I know I have been MIA for a while now. I become such a bad blogger when life gets a little bit busy. I will update later today on how things have been going with the new job and such but first I have to finish my 2nd grad school assignment. It is due tonight and I've put off finishing it long enough.

Now...to the reason for this post. I do not have cats now but I have had many a cat in my younger days. My favorite of which was the world's ugliest kitten I named Shimmer because she was so beautiful she shimmered...but I digress. I have NEVER had a cat that liked water...at all. So when I saw this video I just knew I had to post it. This is the craziest cat I have ever seen. Enjoy!!!

Cat Takes a Bath @ Yahoo! Video

New Teacher Orientation and an Awesome Baby Brother

2009-08-11T21:32:00.005-05:00

Just a quick update on the last couple of days. On Monday my school called and asked if I wanted to come up there to get my schedule, my shirt size, my keys, and have a tour of the school. Everyone was very nice and I was able to see my room. I was not able to get anything ready unfortunately because the previous teacher is transferring departments and has not moved out of the room yet. I'm so anxious to get things done and they said I should start bringing my things in but I didn't want to be rude. I also found out that not only will I be teaching BCIS 1...I am also teaching Webpage Design aka Webmastering. Ahh! I've taught almost all of the classes listed under my business certification and they picked the only one I haven't taught! I've been scrambling to tutor myself and find information. There is a textbook sitting in the room about page builder programs but I couldn't find the teacher's edition. Hopefully I will be able to get it tomorrow.

This morning I had new teacher orientation. Basically they introduced all the administration and have a couple of speakers. It also is a chance for all the professional teacher organizations to try and get you to join their group. I am already a member of the Texas Business and Technology Educators Association (TBTEA) so I didn't have to worry about that. Afterwards they took us a nice luncheon at Bentwood country club. I met a couple new teachers from my school and found out that I knew one of them already! Her name is Christa and we went to the same Fireproof bible study as them last February. I'm very glad. I have already had PDAS training so I did not have to attend the afternoon training session. Thank goodness! It was so boring the first time! After the luncheon I went to my brother's house to meet my parents and Kevin. I found out that I will be able to have a refridgerator and microwave in my room and there was a nice locking one on sale at Target so my mom, Kevin, and I went to Target to get it. The matching microwave was on sale too so I got it also. I also went looking for desk chairs because I was told that the chair in my room is the personal property of the previous teacher and that she will be taking it with her. I found a really comfy one for a nice price and picked it up also. It was an expensive day but I'm happy with my purchases!

They best news of the afternoon came after we were back at my brother Justin's house. Justin has been in the process of applying for the fire department since last January. It is a long process that takes forever. He has been #1 on the list for quite a while but just has been waiting for them to call to schedule the oral board interview. His interview was this afternoon and he was very nervous. He looked so handsome in his suit. I will have to post a picture so you can see. I only took it with my iPhone though so the quality isn't very good.

Needless to say I knew he would do fabulous and I believe he did. They sent him to another room after the interview, voted, and told him he had the job before he even left! I'm so proud of him!!!!! Congratulations my darling brother!!!

Tomorrow starts my first day of inservice. I have to be there at 7:30 in the morning so I'm off to bed. Even if the room isn't empty I'm going to start moving in tomorrow. I really don't have time to wait and the inservice schedule is a lot of training. I will have to do most of my preparing after working hours. Goodnight everyone!

2009 Summer Vacation Day 4 & 5

2009-08-11T20:02:00.007-05:00

Sunday was SOOOOO hot! I believe the weather channel said it was 106 degrees which to West Texas really isn't that much but couple that temperature with all of the asphault, concrete, cars, and people that pack the sidewalks of Vegas and it goes up like 15 more degrees! We walked up and down the strip sightseeing and sweating along the way. We stopped in front of the dancing fountains at the Bellagio, saw Paris and the Eiffel tower, listened to a lady tell her 8 year old son not to look at the ground every 5 seconds as we walked along. If you've ever been to Vegas you know that the sidewalks and streets are littered with little cards of very naked women. Beats me why a woman would take a child so young to Vegas but it was almost humorous with her shrieking at him the whole time. We finally arrived at our destination hot and sweaty and ready for a drink. Our destination was Ceasar's Palace and the Serendipity restaurant there. Just check out the fantastic dessert that I had before my meal!!! (I know! So bad!)

This is the Frrozen Hot Chocolate from Serendipity. They call it a drink but I consider it a dessert! Kevin and I were so hot that each got our own and drank it while waiting for our food. They were huge and so so so good! (I actually drank mine all through our meal and couldn't finish it but Kevin finished his!)

Here is Kevin enjoying himself!

Since it was vacation I did something I would never do...I order only macaroni & cheese as my entree and I LOVED IT! It was probably some of the best mac & cheese I've ever had.

We ate this as a late lunch because we would be having a late dinner that night. We had bought tickets to the dinner show at Excalibur called "The Tournament of Kings". It is a neat dinner show where actors ride horses, have a jousting tournament, and they feed you dinner that you must only eat with your hands. It was aimed at a younger audience but Kevin and I greatly enjoyed it. We also went to see the lion habitat at the MGM Grand that day.

Monday was the day we were to fly back to Houston. I mentioned before that we had a little incident with Kevin's bluetooth earpiece and this is the story. In the Las Vegas airport you go through security and then ride trains to the gate. When we arrived at our gate Kevin realized that his earpiece was missing. He had placed it in his hat to be scanned at security and the screener knocked the hat over. In our rush to get to the gate it must have been left on the conveyor belt. Kevin desperately wanted to return to get it but it was already to close to our flight leaving. It was broken in several places anyway so I said just leave it. Kevin without his earpiece is like a baby without a pacifier and it was a painful few days until we got another one. Which I finally did by complaining to the best buy employee that I had seen the earpiece for $30 cheaper so he sold it to me for that price instead! Yay, go me! lol

This trip just sealed the deal on my hatred for flying because we were once again uncomfortable on a miserable flight with so much turbulance that I got physically ill. It was the scariest situation I've ever been in. We were just about to land in Houston when the pilot announced that there was bad weather in Houston so we would circle above until it was safe to land. Almost an hour later they announced that the Houston airport was now closed and they would be taking us to San Antonio to land!!! Ugh! Once we landed in San Antonio no one new what was going on. We sat in that hot airplane for what seemed like forever. The turbulance made my stomach so sick I didn't even want to take off again. Finally they announced the airport had opened back up and they we would be taking off. We finally landed in Houston around 6 pm when we were supposed to land around 2:30. I'm going to say right now that if it is possible...I would always rather drive!!!

Once we landed we quickly made it to the Westin Galleria and got checked in. The hotel was very nice and connected directly to the Galleria mall. We walked around the mall and ate at The Cheesecake Factory that night! It was so good! My conference started the next day. I will write one more post about the conference to conclude our vacation postings. I'm trying to get these written down before school starts and I never get it finished. We had a good trip and I want to remember it.

2009 Summer Vacation Day 3 Part 2 AEROSMITH!

2009-08-11T11:47:00.000-05:00

Going to the ZZ Top and Aerosmith concert was AMAZING! It was definately a once in a lifetime dream come true! We had fabulous seats...I was on the floor in a center aisle seat so I could see straight down to the stage (for us short people...this is necessary!) This is the best picture I could find to explain how close to the stage we were...

You can see Kevin's back on the bottom right corner of the picture and I obviously sat to his immediate left. You'll recognize him by his bluetooth earpiece that he NEVER takes off. We have drama about his never ending use of the earpiece and there was even a more interesting situation around this earpiece during the trip. You'll hear about that later on. The people on the stage were young guys that won a guitar hero contest to play before the concert. They were really funny. They are actually on the very back part of the stage. Steven Tyler spent most of his time on the front of the stage on the little island that stuff forward. When he was on the island he was only about 25 yards away. The only issue I had during the whole concert was with the older couple with long hair snuggling in this picure. They spent almost the whole concert groping each other very disgustingly and dancing in the aisle so I couldn't see. I finally got so annoyed that I had the usher tell them to get back in their seats. lol

ZZTop came on first and played every song I've ever loved! I took some fabulous short sound recordings using my iphone and if I could figure out how to put them on here and wasn't afraid I was infringing some kind of copyright (Sorry the tech teacher in me wins out) I would post them for ya'll. They put on a very good concert and we were so glad they opened for Aerosmith.

This pic is not very good but it was the only one of Kevin and I together in front of the stage. There was an hour long intermission between concerts which I thought was weird but we ended up talking to the people sitting next to us and realizing that our entire row was all from different parts of Texas! Weird!

Due to my pitifully poor point and shoot camera this was the clearest stage shot that we could get. Please ignore the strange hand in the middle of the picture. Steven Tyler is absolutely crazy and I absolutely loved it! This was when he was on the very back of the stage. The next picture was when Steven and Joe came out to play on the island!

During the concert Steven announced that there was a very special guest in the audience and then asked him to come on stage...it was Slash!!! He played on a song with them and then they showed Mia Tyler on the big screen. She was in the audience too! So neat!

We took sooooo many pictures that I'm really trying to limit myself to just a few.

After the concert Kevin and I wandered out onto the strip and explored for a long while. We wandered through the MGM, explored the Tropicana, and left a little money at New York New York. We had a very good time and finally lumbered back to the Monte Carlo very very very tired.

Well I finally finish this post...now I'm gonna get started on the next big parts of our trip. Until then...

Menu Plan Monday 8/9/09

2009-08-09T23:32:00.003-05:00

Well I'm back to menu planning after a little bit of a hiatus. As I've mentioned before, my doctor has taken me off of weight watchers and put me on a low glycemic index based diet or basically the south beach diet. I've been struggling to acclimate to this new diet but today I found a website with several recipe suggestions that I think are going to be a great help. It will be a busy week with starting my new job but I was able to get my grocery shopping done tonight and it should go well.

Monday:White Chicken Chili (I've done a white chicken chili before that I love but this is a South Beach Version.)
Tuesday:Mixed-Up Casserole
Wednesday:President's Chicken
Thursday:Joe's Special
Friday:Mock Cheese & Broccoli Bake (This one is only if I can find spaghetti squash at HEB. They didn't have it at Walmart. If I can't find it...then its Chicken Georgia. Who knew my old favorite was South Beach Friendly!)

I'm still trying to figure this diet out. So far I've just been eating the same thing everyday but hopefully this will make it more bearable. These actually sound pretty good!

4 Amazing Words...

2009-08-07T22:27:00.005-05:00

"I GOT THE JOB!"

They called and offered me the BCIS teacher position today. I'm thrilled, ecstactic, in disbelief, and exhausted. I literally have become exhausted in the process. I've been praying so fervently all summer just for a position to open and to get a job that when they called today...I was excited but so tired I didn't really get worked up. Instead of immediately calling Kevin and my parents and screaming into the phone, I very methodically typed a simple text message and added several people to the "To:" field and almost immediately after sending...recieved about 10 messages back in about 4 seconds. Thank you so much to everyone who responded and I greatly appreciate your prayers. I know that they are why I'm getting this opportunity.

I interviewed exactly 2 weeks and 2 days ago. I have been absolutely going crazy waiting to hear something. I was going to give up. The HR department called about 2minutes before noon today. I have a 1/2 day new teacher orientation and luncheon on Tuesday and then start inservice on Wednesday. They told me I could call my principal to see about going to see my room and for more info but the school closed at noon today. :( I was really hoping to get a little more information today so maybe I could get some work done this weekend. Guess I will have to wait patiently. At this point I don't even know if I have a permanent room or what classes I will be teaching. It could possibly be more than just BCIS.

I had a little bit of a dilema on my hands because I interviewed for the military training developer position on Wednesday and it went really well but there is one BIG catch. The position is a government contract position that could start tomorrow, next week, or maybe even not develop. They made it clear that I would make MUCH more money and that they would be any other offer I recieve.

I've been praying about it and discussing it with Kevin and my parents. Basically I decided to go with the old saying, "A bird in the hand is better than two in a bush." I almost positive I would've been offered the military training job but they spoke very clearly about the fact that it might not start until October and that government contracts can be pulled at anytime. We cannot wait for income until October and I don't want to even think about being laid off. I really think that it is something I want to do in the future but for now...I'm gonna stick with the students.

I went to Trinity early this morning to finish working on the computers and clean out my room. I got what I believe is everything out of my room and finished 6 of the computers. Once I figured out what I needed to download...it took seconds (literally seconds) to get the sound cards working again. I'll go back this weekend to finish up. I had notified them earlier this week that I wouldn't be able to come back again this year. My principal knew I was looking for full time work and he understood. So...if anyone in my town is looking for a 3 day a week computer teacher position then let me know! It doesn't pay very well but it is enjoyable and fairly easy. I can hook you up!

In other news, Kevin and I did travel to Midland on monday for his test and received some very good news! Kevin's test came back very very very good and he apparently no longer has a low count problem. My doctor called and was very suprised that it improved so much. She said it could be that some of his meds have changed or the fact that he lost the 60 pounds. This is a huge blessing because if Kevin was going to require any treatment for that issue we would have had to pay for everything out of pocket.

I started my south beach diet on Monday...DANG THIS IS HARD! It is fantastic because I'm really never hungry but it is figuring out what I can eat and eating fast food is almost impossible! I never realized how much bread is on every type of fast food. I miss fruit and chocolate soooooooooo much! I didn't think I had such a sweet tooth until trying this. Apparently I was much worse than I thought. So far I've stayed on track and I can't wait until the 17th when my 2 weeks is up. I think I will weigh in the morning to see if there has been any change. I just don't see how there could be though because I've been eating a lot of steak, chicken, and shrimp this week. Oh well I guess we'll see.

I did a big thing this week...big for me anyway...I went to a tailor. I NEVER can find pants that are the correct length. Every pair I buy are always way too long. In the past I've bought shoes to make me taller or just wore the pants even though they were too long (yes I know..this is terribly bad fashion.) I've bought 7 new pairs of pants all on clearance and had all of them hemmed along with 2 old pairs I had. He did a very good job on them and I'm so glad to be able to just put them on without worrying about the length. I've also purchased 2 new pairs of shoes online that I'm waiting to come in. I'm hoping they are comfortable.

Well this post has gotten long and rambling. I've started several vacation posts with pictures but haven't finished them yet. Hopefully I can get several posted tomorrow because I want to always remember it. Again thank you for all your prayers these past months! I am loving my blog friends!

2009 Summer Vacation Day 3 Part 1

2009-08-04T11:34:00.004-05:00

Saturday really didn't start out that exciting but definately ended with a bang! When we woke up saturday morning Kevin immediately started working on HOMEWORK using the laptop and an internet connection in our room. BLAH! I know I know but it was due sunday night and there was a TON of it. He is in an online British Literature class right now and his professor is crazy! She has assigned so much work that it takes hours to get it completed. Kevin tried so hard to get it all finished the week before we left but with work there just wasn't enough time to finish it.

I went down to the food court and picked up some McDonald's for breakfast (Yum!) and then headed back up to help Kevin out. I never actually took a sophomore literature in college because I took a test and passed high enough that I was given credit for English 1301, 1302, and Sophomore literature but I did the best I could to help out. It was a lot of the same information that I worked on in AP English in high school (Syntax, Simile, Metaphors, Assonance, Symbolism, Alliteration, foot and meter, Sonnets, Quatraines...) I helped Kevin understand what each of the previous words meant and read the poems to Kevin because they were ridiculously boring and hard to pronounce. Here is an example of one he had to analyze...

To A Louse By Robert Burns
Ha! whare ye gaun' ye crowlin ferlie?
Your impudence protects you sairly;
I canna say but ye strunt rarely
Owre gauze and lace,
Tho faith! I fear ye dine but sparely
On sic a place.

Ye ugly, creepin, blastit wonner,
Detested, shunn'd by saunt an sinner,
How daur ye set your fit upon her--
Sae fine a lady!
Gae somewhere else and seek your dinner
On some poor body.

Swith! in some beggar's hauffet squattle;
There ye may creep, and sprawl, and sprattle;
Wi' ither kindred, jumping cattle;
In shoals and nations;
Whare horn nor bane ne'er daur unsettle
Your thick plantations.

Now haud you there! ye're out o' sight,
Below the fatt'rils, snug an tight,
Na, faith ye yet! ye'll no be right,
Till ye've got on it--
The vera tapmost, tow'rin height
O' Miss's bonnet.

My sooth! right bauld ye set your nose out,
As plump an grey as onie grozet:
O for some rank, mercurial rozet,
Or fell, red smeddum,
I'd gie you sic a hearty dose o't,
Wad dress your droddum!

I wad na been surpris'd to spy
You on an auld wife's flainen toy
Or aiblins some bit duddie boy,
On's wyliecoat;
But Miss's fine Lunardi! fye!
How daur ye do't?

O Jeany, dinna toss your head,
An set your beauties a' abread!
Ye little ken what cursed speed
The blastie's makin!
Thae winks an finger-ends, I dread,
Are notice takin!

O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!
It wad frae monie a blunder free us
An foolish notion:
What airs in dress an gait wad lea'es us,
An ev'n devotion!

Ugh! They were terrible! We worked on them almost ALL day long. Remember how I said our room was on the 11th floor? (Yep, I did take this pic.)

Well it was beautiful looking out onto the pool BUT at exactly 12 noon the loudest most obnoxious remixes of popular songs started playing from the pool area! I mean it sounded like we had the stereo in our room turned as loud as it could get! It definately didn't make reading ancient british poems any easier. We finished about 4 pm and I immediately got in the shower to get ready for the ZZ Top and AEROSMITH concert! It deserves a post of its own so I'm closing this one out! Hang on for part 2!

Fantabulously Frugal-A Giveaway!

2009-08-04T10:51:00.003-05:00

I've been following this really neat blog called Fantabulously Frugal for a while now. She somehow finds the most amazing deals and free stuff ever! She finds deals online and in person and does lots of giveaways. I like that she finds deals on high end items and more of my everyday purchases also. She is having a giveaway today in honor of her birthday! She isn't actually saying what the prize is but I love her taste so I know they are going to be great! Go on over and check it out!!!

She also led me to a cool website called Rue La La. There are some awesome deals on this website! I'm a little low on funds right now as we wait to hear about the job situation but as soon as that changes I am going to get in on some of these amazing deals! There was a kitchenaide sale a few weeks ago that I had to sit out and I was so sad! Shopping on the website is by invitation only but I can get you in! Click on my link and you'll be able to get in now. Otherwise you'll be put on a waiting list...I don't know about you...but I HATE to wait!

2009 Summer Vacation Day 1 & 2

2009-08-03T00:27:00.006-05:00

Kevin and I decided to head out on Thursday night to break up the drive a little bit. I looked on mapquest and booked a hotel in Universal City, Texas. That was almost exactly half way to Houston. We weren't able to leave until pretty late so we didn't arrive until after midnight. It was just a cheap Super 8 motel but was actually pretty nice and included breakfast in the morning.

My dear sweet cousins Audra and Leah came to house sit and dog sit this week. Kevin and I were eternally grateful to be able to leave our little girls with trustworthy people who dote on them like we do and they didn't have to leave home. I was very upset with my vet last wednesday because I believe they hurt Tootsie when the girls were getting their baths. (I'll rant about this later!) Having Audra and Leah to watch them made it where Kevin and I could enjoy ourselves without worrying!

We left the Super 8 in Universal City around 11 on Friday morning and drove to Houston. We've been told my multiple people that we need to stop at a store called Buc-ee's in between San Antonio and Houston. It just so happened that we came upon it around lunch time so we decided to stop and check it out. It is the craziest convience store I've ever seen. It is in the middle of nowhere and is HUGE! It has everything you could possibly imagine and was so packed you could barely walk around to check everything out. We got lunch and Kevin managed to weasel his way into an entire box of home made fudge in multiple flavors. I'm not big on fudge. I'd rather have a brownie anyday but he wanted it so he got it. I swear there was at least 40 very nice stalls in the girls bathroom and Kevin said the guys bathroom was the same. If you are ever traveling that way stop and check it out.

We made it to the airport in plenty of time and were able to sit in the airport for a while. It would have been nice and relaxing after our drive but there were 4 LOUD little kids running and screaming through the gate area. I could not believe their parents were letting them act that way. I saw one almost flatten a little old lady and her husband. The teacher in me had to bite my tongue really hard to keep from saying anything. Our flight to Vegas left Houston around 6 pm. It was the WORST flight that I have ever been on in my entire life (and I've actually flown quite a bit). It was so packed I thought I was going to suffocate and we had the 4 screaming obnoxious kids riding in the seats right behind us. It was a non stop flight so we had 3 hours with the lovely little ones. Flying sure is fast but I really would rather drive.

When we arrived in Vegas it was already getting late (no I didn't take the above picture) so we headed straight to the Monte Carlo to check in. We hadn't stayed there before so we didn't know what exactly to expect but it was really nice! Our room was on the 10th floor and overlooked the pool (which turned out to be a good and bad thing...pics and more info to come). We got settled in and went walking around in the casino and on the strip a little bit. We gambled a little and there was a good food court in the casino so we got some dinner and finally headed to bed pretty late. We were so tired from our constant travel but we really did enjoy the day! Next Post: Vacation Day 3 and Aerosmith!

Home Sweet Home!

2009-08-03T00:13:00.002-05:00

Well we have actually been home since late Friday night but I've been slightly lazy since then. We had a wonderful time on our trip but we were so glad to arrive back home. I missed my beautiful little puppies tremendously! I've got a lot of information and a lot of pictures so I guess I will make several different posts. Our break from traveling will be brief though because Kevin has a doctor appointment in Odessa tomorrow. We will head that way early tomorrow morning and hopefully stop by Lane Bryant on the way home. I STILL have not heard back from SAISD yet. I am praying that I will hear from them tomorrow and that it will be good news. I'm going to get started on our trip posts...here goes nothing!

Well...

2009-07-22T21:52:00.004-05:00

The interview was this morning. I honestly have no idea if it went well or not. I don't think I did badly but I just don't know. I absolutely cannot read this principal. All I can do is pray now. Please pray.
PS: Aerosmith on Saturday! I'll be busy packing and getting ready tomorrow. I sure could enjoy this trip more if I knew I had a job!

10 am tomorrow

2009-07-21T20:51:00.003-05:00

I'm not going to say much because I don't want to jinx it. Just know that I have an interview at 10 am tomorrow morning and I'm thrilled. I bought a new shirt and got my hair cut today (7 inches completely gone:check out my twitpic). Pray hard that this works out. I would greatly appreciate it.

Exams, Shredded Wheat, and the military

2009-07-19T23:35:00.006-05:00

Well I know my posts have been pretty grim lately but I'm slowly trying to work my way into a better mood and I have some news tonight that has definately helped!

Drumroll please.......................

I passed my Journalism Texes exam! I am now certified to teach in 4 certification areas...Business 6-12, Technology EC-12, Journalism 8-12, and ECH-4 Generalist. Now...If I could just get a full time job!!! I'm debating if I should email the high school principal I spoke with in may and tell him that I passed the test. I want to do it but I'm afraid it would be like beating a dead horse. They posted a BCIS position for one day and immediately pulled it down. He knew about me and that I was interested but they chose not to fill the position anyway. I mean what do you guys think? Should I?

In other news...I had the opportunity the eat lunch with one of my favorite people on Friday. Rebecca was my mentor teacher at Eden during my first year of teaching and I'm very glad to say became one of my very best friends. We've been emailing back and forth periodically this last school year but since I'm a terrible penpal I've missed her and the other teachers I taught with terribly. She came into town on Friday for a workshop and we were able to meet for lunch and get caught up! Her workshop actually turned out to end at lunch so she was able to come by the house after we ate so we talked for about 4 hours! I was so happy to hear everyone is doing well. I regret leaving Eden more than anyone can imagine. I wake up from dreams about teaching out there and just cry sometimes because I miss them so much. For the first time in my life I truly had a job I enjoyed and co-workers that I adored. (Don't misunderstand...I've enjoyed previous co-workers...just not the jobs...and at the last job before teaching I hated the job and especially the co-workers.) Becca had lots of great news for me and it was really a highlight of my summer. I still remember all of the reasons I needed to leave and how it was the smartest decision but when I remember the good times and in the face of not being able to find a full time job here in town once again...it seems like the stupidest decision I ever made.

Speaking on jobs...(which its seems is all I ever talk about anymore)...I applied for a job posting today that I found on the internet. A non-teaching job. I know...I'm getting desperate. It is actually kind of scary because I am HIGHLY and I mean HIGHLY qualified for this job and it sounds like it could be fun but I really do not want to NOT teach. It is actually located on the air force base about 2 miles from my house. I would basically be a trainer of sorts developing lessons plans and creating web based training courses for the military. It is actually exactly what my masters is for. The master degree that I'm pursuing is a masters degree in Instructional Technology with an Emphasis in Distance education. You can go look at a more in depth description of the degree here. I really would miss teaching and my students. I had always figured that someday I might move out of the classroom and maybe into an outside education/training industry like this but that was not going to be until years from now. I don't know...I may not even get called for an interview. I like working with the kids, having fun everyday, getting off early, having my summers off. I tear up anytime I think about not seeing the little ones everyday. Not hearing, "Mrs. Johnson! You look beautiful today!" every morning would make me sad. lol I just want to get something full time sooooooooo badly. Kevin is getting more and more worn out from both working and going to school full time. I want to help him so badly. Am I making a bad decision applying for it?

I guess I should give a diet update...IT IS TERRIBLE! I still cannot figure it out. I've bought multiple books and every book tells me different things. One book said I could have shredded wheat...another book said I couldn't. Very contradictory things. I tried to go grocery shopping and it was a complete disaster. I couldn't even find most of the things that it said I could have. I've been doing research and the closest diet to the low glycemic index diet is the South Beach diet. I think that tomorrow I will go to Hastings...once again...and buy the South Beach book. I know a little about it from my research and I know that the first 2 weeks will be horrible but I think that overall it will be easier to follow. We will be leaving for our vacation on next Thursday so I'm going to have to think long and hard to decide if I will be starting it now or waiting until we get back.

Speaking of vacation...lol...5 days until I see Aerosmith in concert! I'm so excited! It doesn't seem real! I have so much to get finished and to prepare for our trip so it will be a busy week! I'm going to try to finish working on the computers at Trinity and get all the laundry/dry cleaning done and I have an appointment to get my hair cut and get my puppy dogs groomed. We will actually be gone for 9 days and 8 nights because my Business Education conference immediately follows the Vegas trip so I'm scrambling to get enough close together for that long. I haven't wanted to buy clothes in forever because I wanted to be losing weight so I am extremely low on summer clothes that fit. I found a good sale on Friday morning and was able to get 2 pairs of denim capris ($14.99 each!) and 3 solid color t-shirts. I also bought one really pretty purple shirt that I love so I'm hoping I can add this to the one pair of capris and 1 pair of black gaucho pants that I have been alternating all summer long and maybe have enough to last all week. I'm going to miss my beautiful furry baby girls so much but I'm so grateful that I have wonderful dog sitters/house sitters coming to stay with them. I will be able to enjoy myself so much more knowing that they will be well taken care of!

I will mention briefly that I did get to go to watch Harry Potter on last wednesday and I loved it! As I always say...the books are better...but the movies are great! Well I guess I've rambled on enough and I will finally go to bed. Goodnight Guys...

Some good news...Some bad news...and a book made for dummies?

2009-07-15T16:09:00.004-05:00

Ok so yesterday we went to our initial appointment with a Reproductive Endocrinologist and I love her! She was so nice and really took the time to talk with us about everything.

The good news is that she is sure she will be able to make me ovulate and eventually have a baby. She is the very first doctor who has ever taken me seriously when I talk about the issues I have. Most doctors say "oh you have PCOS", throw some birth control pills at you and then they are done. They tell you to take the pills because that is the only thing they can do for PCOS and then blow you off. She was so nice and was able to explain causes and theory behind the majority of my problems for me.

The bad news is that we learned that apparentally I'm not the only one with reproductive issues in mine and Kevin's relationship. The VA did a test on Kevin's semen about 2 years ago. Kevin takes a lot of medication for his PTSD and we wanted to know if it had any effects. They gave us the paperwork for the tests but never explained what it meant. We brought the paperwork to our appointment and the doctor explained that Kevin does have a low count issue. We had to fill out a medical history and she explained that it is probably due to a hernia that was repaired on Kevin when he was a baby and due to his medications. She actually spoke to Kevin about his issues before she even addressed mine. I was quite suprised. I didn't know how to react because as disheartening as the news was I actually felt a little relieved to know that I wasn't the only one broken. Crazy, huh? Kevin has lost 60 lbs since that test and she wants him to come in for another test in a few weeks. The only insurance Kevin has is through the VA so we will have to pay for the entire thing by ourselves. I also found out that my insurance has no coverage for infertility so once again we will be paying on our own even though I pay almost $400 a month for insurance. She seemed really confident though that she could treat Kevin with Clomid (yes the same drug they give women) and that it would help him.

I explained to the doctor that I have never ever wanted to be the pregnant woman who is so fat you can't tell she is pregnant or to have all the complications that come along with pregnancy in obese women. That is why I started really trying to lose weight 14 months ago. I've battled my weight my entire life until I just started ignoring it during college. All that mattered was doing well in school and taking care of Kevin. I explained that I have been on Weight Watchers and that I had gotten to a plateau and then never recovered. I have gained about 10 pounds back from the original 40 that I lost. She explained that the effort I have made is great and that WW is great in helping you track what you eat but that my body is going to respond differently than most people. She said for me to truly lose weight I need to utilize the low glycemic index diet or glycemic load diet. She suggested I buy a book called "The GL Diet for Dummies" because it gives the best explaination of the diet. She said I need to use this diet because I'm insulin resistant.

I've known since high school that I was insulin resistant and that this caused my body to produce more insulin than the average person. This doctor actually took the time to really explain what it meant to me personally. Basically I have a metabolic condition that causes my body to store fat at a higher rate than normal people and my body reacts to certain foods differently than it does in normal people. When I eat certain foods my body produces high levels of insulin which in turn causes my blood sugar to be very volatile during the day...at some points shooting sky high or dropping really low. At times this makes my stomach hurts, makes me feel shaky, or sometimes I almost cannot keep my eyes open because I'm so tired and lethargic. The latter actually happened during a class I was teaching this summer and I was actually concerned I was going to have to get some help. Luckily we had a short break so I ate half a snickers bar and it made a huge difference.

My doctor wants me to lose about 20 pounds before we start any ovulation inducing which is fine by me. She said that I don't have to start then if I'm not comfortable with my weight yet. I have an appointment scheduled to go back in 2 months so I'm trying to figure out this diet and work really hard.

After we left our appointment yesterday we went straight to a book store to buy the book. I actually found a couple of Low GI cookbooks that I bought also. I started reading the book on the way home but I am so frustrated! It is so hard to understand and figure out. Some foods are bad and do not need to be eaten on a low GI diet such as white bread and pasta. BUT sometimes if you add a protein and fat rich food (such as parmesan cheese) to the bad foods then it will lower the overall GI and become good for you! This is because the fat and protein rich food delays the rate of the stomach emptying and slows down the rate of digestion of the food. When food digests more slowly it helps stabilize my blood sugar during the day. I also supposed to eat every 3-4 hours during the day. It is so confusing! The doctor explained it would be hard but how can you diet when you don't even know what you can and can't eat! I assumed it would be like a high fat, low carb diet but it isn't at all. I've spent all day reading this book and I'm still not getting it. I've been trying to look up the glycemic values of specific foods on the internet and am not having any luck. I'm also having issues because this diet does not really mesh with the WW mentality that is locked into my brain. I tried one of the recommended breakfasts this morning and couldn't help but think "This is so many points!".

She also made me take a blood test yesterday to check for prolactin levels. I believe that is the word she used. She wants to make sure that I do not have an adrenal disease that has many of the same symptons of PCOS and is often misdiagnosed and can leave some symptoms untreated. My mother is thrilled that the doctor suggested this because she had seen an episode of Mystery Diagnosis in which a women with an adrenal issue was misdiagnosed and she has been nagging me constantly saying that I have it. I was really suprised because I hadn't even considered it and then all of the sudden the doctor was talking to me about it.

My final instructions were to start taking my metformin 3 times a day instead of 2 and to start taking fish oil pills everyday along with my Yaz and prenatal vitamins.

I know this post has been ridiculously long but for the first time in my life it seems like there is hope that I might actually be a mother someday. I could really use your prayers so that I can figure out this diet and see some results. I'm not unreasonable...if this diet really works and I start losing I will wait until I'm at an even safer weight before starting the fertility treatments. It would be better for me and for the baby. But if it is a waste of time I will starve myself until I lose the 20 pounds and then begin the treatments. I want to be a mother someday and if God wants me in this body to do it...then I will. But I would rather be healthy.

Short and Sweet

2009-07-13T16:55:00.003-05:00

I'm going to quickly ask for your prayers. Tomorrow is my appointment with the Reproductive Endocrinologist. Kevin and I will leave really early tomorrow morning to head to my appointment. It is in a town about 2 hours away. Pray that we will hear some encouraging news.

I know what I want...

2009-07-05T13:04:00.005-05:00

I want my life to be about something else than worrying about money, trying to find a job, working at a job, not being able to have a baby, not losing weight... I've been reading through old posts today and I want something more! I want to have a pregnancy or a child to post about. I want to have interesting things to say about fabulous books I've read, rooms I've decorated, places I've visited, items I've sewn/made, or great meals I've cooked. I want to know how to write a book or design blog backgrounds. When people ask how we've been I want to be able to say something besides "Fine, we just work and do homework all the time." I want to know that Kevin is happy in his job and not so tired all time. And that he gets to do things he loves like working in the yard, hunting, camping, or visiting with friends & family (none of which he has time for now). I'm just so tired of worrying.

I get so mad at myself because I know we have so many wonderful things in our life. We own a wonderful home and a reliable car. Kevin has a steady job that allows him time to get to his doctor appointments with the VA. I have a job that allows me time to do my homework for grad school and to be able to feed/care for/help Kevin. We have amazing family and friends that we love dearly. Overall, We have good health. I mean as morbidly obese as I am it's a miracle I don't have diabetes or high blood pressure or a number of other serious problems. Kevin is a healthy man and is able to get the help he needs to care for his PTSD. He came home from Iraq with no life-changing physical injuries.

I'm in some kind of funk that I just shake. I don't want to own the most fabulous house. I don't want to have the most prestigious job. I just want to be happy and to have there be more about my life than worry.

An anniversary of sorts...

2009-07-04T18:09:00.008-05:00

Seven years ago today I woke up as sick as I could ever be. I had a terrible stomach virus the entire night before and was still not feeling great the next morning. But my adorable boyfriend named Kevin was in town for a short time and I wasn't about to let a stomach bug get in my way of visiting with him. So up I got and dolled myself up ready to spend the day with my sweetie. We drove around town looking at sights, walking around, and taking pictures like we always did. One of our favorite past times was to "cruise" around town. At one point Kevin drove by a little white gazebo surrounded by a beautiful flower garden so he stopped the car. We got out and had fun posing for pictures by the river and all the flowers. (We were a little picture crazy back then!) At one point I took a break by sitting down in the gazebo and asked Kevin to join me.

He looked so handsome! He was all dressed up in his uniform since it was the 4th of July. We were going to go our hometown later to watch the local fireworks show but first we were just having fun taking pictures. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to call such a handsome man my boyfriend. At that time I just desperately wished he didn't have to go back to California and the Marine Corps in a few days. As Kevin walked into the Gazebo he asked me to come look at something. I stood up and started walking to his side when he turned and met me in the middle. He had picked a beautiful daisy (my favorite) for me. As I reached to grab the flower I felt Kevin slip something on my hand. I look down only to see Kevin lower to one knee and that a beautiful white gold diamond ring on the ring finger of my left hand. Then he said the words I'll never forget, "Katy will you marry me?" and before I could answer he followed with "Your dad said it was ok!" I stuttered out a yes as well as I could and then everything starts to get blurry because it went so fast. I remember laughing and crying and Kevin asking a passing runner to take a picture of us. I immediately called my mother and best friend who of course already knew of his plans. We spent the rest of the day telling the great news to everyone watching the fireworks show. It was a day I'll never forget and always cherish.

I love you even more today than I did back then Kevin Johnson! Thank you for asking me to be your wife and making me the happiest woman in the world! Thank you!

*The above picture is almost immediately after Kevin proposed. Please excuse the quality of the above picture. I cannot get to the scanner right now so I just snapped it quickly with the camera on my phone. My hair is wind blown, my face is red because I've been crying, and a passing runner snapped the picture for us but you know...I still love the pic.

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-07-04T17:43:00.003-05:00

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
3/4 cup splenda
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 and 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
2 cups milk chocolate chips (11.5 oz package)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter, Splenda, brown sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add eggs and beat until creamy. In a seperate bowl combine dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, and oats. Gradually add dry mixture into wet mixture until completely incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips. Nuts are also optional. Drop teaspoon size balls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 14 minutes (my oven is weird...yours will probably be anywhere from 8-10 minutes) at 375 degrees. Remove from oven...Cool and eat!

Makes approximately 36 cookies.
3 points each

Disclaimer: This is not a weight watcher recipe. This is a I'm depressed and want some chocolate recipe. :o)

Happy 4th of July My Friends!

2009-07-04T16:36:00.006-05:00

So it is the 4th of July and I have absolutely nothing to do well nothing fun anyway (chores don't count.) I will get to go over to my brother's house later. He is making a brisket and other goodies. It will be fun but that isn't until much later. I did get to have a nice chat this morning with my brother in law that is deployed to Iraq using Yahoo Messenger (I would have killed for Kevin to have things like messenger and skype when he was in Iraq!). All morning I've been ridiculously bored and lazy and if you've been paying attention to my twitter you might notice that I've been a little depressed lately.

I've been frustrated due to my current work situation. I love my job but as I've mentioned before it is only part time. This has put a financial strain on Kevin and I and is a little disheartening. I put in 3/4 as much effort as the other teacher's at my school with about 1/4 of the pay. I still have grading and lesson planning to do on weekends like other teachers but I do not get paid for ANY of it. I very rarely get to work my full hours for the week and when I don't work...I don't get paid. I have the summer off like the other teachers but am not bringing in ANY income at this point. I am on COBRA health insurance that is continued from Eden but it is limited to 18 months. This means it will lapse in April of this next year not to mention it is EXTREMELY expensive.

I really do LOVE working with the kids. They are absolutely adorable. I get to work with computers and kids. What could be better? BUT...Kevin is killing himself going to school full time and working full time. He gets NO sleep. Almost everynight I get up 2:30, 4:00, 5:30 in the morning and will find Kevin snoring in the desk chair in front of our computer. Kevin is doing SO well in school and I'm so proud of him but I know he cannot continue at this pace. I was hoping to find a full time teaching position for next school year so maybe Kevin could drop to 1/2 time or 3/4 time at work.

As I mentioned earlier this year I had a meeting with the principal at a local high school. He spoke to me about teaching Yearbook and BCIS this next school year but they were waiting to hear if the BCIS teacher was leaving for certain. The yearbook teacher had already given her resignation. The biggest issue with my certification area is that there just aren't that many positions overall much less available. There are approximately 10 BCIS teacher positions in my town. 5 at each high school. There was 1 opening the year before last when I was not certified and no openings this previous school year. Because Kevin works here in San Angelo I don't really have the option to move around like most teachers (especially couples) do.

I've been praying so hard that a position would open up. I know I shouldn't really pray for something so specific and selfish but I have been. Well last Friday night I checked the school district website and that morning that high school had posted an opening for a BCIS teacher. I was thrilled! There was actually a possibility. I spent that weekend in a gloriously happy daze just thrilled that there was actually an opening. I was going to get a letter of interest together to formally note my interest in the position and turn it in on Monday. On monday when I sat down to write my letter I opened the website to reference the job posting and it wasn't posted anymore. My heart just sank. I called the HR office to ask about the position and the HR clerk told me that "they had decided not to fill that position at this time. They are going to do something else." It was all I could do to not start crying in her ear right then and there.

I want so badly to ease the financial burden on Kevin and I and to give Kevin a little rest. That job would have allowed us to pay off our debt and let Kevin work less hours. I've actually worked for 4 seperate employers this school year trying to make more money. I've taught at my current school, subbed for two different school districts, and now I'm teaching part time for the Extended Studies department of ASU. And still people tell me what a slacker I am because I only work part time.

I took the certification exam to teach Early Childhood through grade 4 in January and passed it. With a very decent score actually. I don't want to say its my second choice because its not really. I think I would enjoy either BCIS or elementary the same I just have more experience in BCIS and think I'm better at it. Yesterday I put in a letter of interest for an elementary position. I highly doubt I will get it but at least there is an opening. There is just a sheer advantage to seeking an elementary position because there is just a larger number of positions. I mean in comparison to the 10 BCIS teachers there are hundreds of ECH-4 teachers in the school district and there are actually positions open.

Honestly deep down in my heart I would love for nothing more than to be a stay at home mom at this point but that just isn't possible or feasible. I have truly been on my weight loss journey for 1 year and 3 months now and still have only lost 40 pounds. I'm not even close to being able to concieve and healthily carry a baby. With the debt we got in because of the floor renovation fiasco that went down last summer it really wouldn't be a possibility if we had a baby right now anyway. If I actually told you the amount of debt that I'm worried about you would probably laugh at me but to Kevin and I it is a big deal. For the first 6 years of our marriage Kevin and I paid off our credit card bill everymonth in full. We never had a late payment, always had a nice savings account, and always saved for retirement. This has changed and neither of us are comfortable with it.

I'm really torn as to what I should do in the coming months. Do I stay at my current job where I'm not compensated for all that I do and lose another year of creditable teaching experience or should I look for something else completely. I have a business degree and business experience from before I went into teaching. It isn't nearly as fulfilling but I could go find a job in a completely different field and make money. I just don't know what to do. And as much as I try not to get down on myself for the first time in my life I'm honestly beginning to think that if I was not fat, I would have a full time teaching job at this point. I just keep trying to remind myself to count my blessings but it is really hard to cheer up.

So now that I've got all of those depressing thoughts off of my chest I'll try to write a happier post. What do I do when I'm bored and depressed? Why I bake of course! Which is probably the worst possible thing I could do I enjoy the baking process and Kevin and I both like the products at the end. I've been experimenting with cookies and next I'm going to post the newest recipe I've done. Take care everyone!
Love,
Katy

I have a confession to make...

2009-06-23T20:44:00.008-05:00

I am a cell phone-aholic! There I said it!

For the longest time (well forever) when it comes to technology I've always want the biggest, fastest, newest a person could get. I get serious cell phone envy when I think about a phone that can do something mine can't do.

Since 2007, I have had:
-a cheap blue camera phone
-a cheap red Motorola with no camera
-a red Motorola Razr
-a Blackberry Pearl
-a Blackberry Curve
-a cheap black nokia phone.

Yes, I realize that I have a problem.

Mind you remember that I did have 2 cell phone carriers (AT&T and Alltel) and carried two cell phones during that time though. (My original, Alltel, only worked in San Angelo...not Eden. So I had to get another service.) At long last...last November...I thought we had found a cure. The iPhone!

We all have coping mechanisms. When I come across that brand new piece of mind blowing technology that I can't afford...I convince myself I don't want it. I didn't want an iPhone, didn't need an iPhone, wasn't going to get an iPhone until... well you can read about it in this post.

Well so I got one...and FELL IN LOVE! I don't know what I ever did before I had this phone. I can find information and phone numbers in an instant using the internet. It enables my blogging, myspace, and facebook addictions nicely. I have all the music I want on hand at any point in time! I've also cut down the weight in my purse by quite a bit. (I used to carry around my cell phone, my video iPod, and my iPod shuffle at all times! That was nice and bulky!) I haven't even looked at another cell phone since or even read any reviews from www.phonedog.com like I used to do quite often.

That is until the horrible company that is Apple announced they were coming out with a new iPhone! A better one! The 3GS...Oh how could they! If they only knew how they were ruining the peace I had finally found at last! And so I've been pouting...quite noticably Kevin would say. I noticed my ears perking up when I heard Apple commercials on TV and then the next thing I knew...I was onto my old habit...the phonedog.com rumor and news blog. Then yesterday I went to read a post on the blog of a sweet girl named Tyly and found THIS.

Oh how excited I was! Someone had actually gotten one! That lasted all of about 2 seconds before the pout set back in. I was starting to depise my old, ugly, pitiful iPhone 3G. No folks...I'm still not done.

So this morning I wake up to my old, ugly, pitiful iPhone 3G and have a new email. It's from Apple and its notifying me of the free update that is available for my phone. All I have to do is connect my phone to iTunes to install the update and all of the sudden it will become a neato, wowza, yea haw "iPhone 3G almost S!" I can now forward text messages, cut, copy, paste, record voice memos, email voice memos, use stereo bluetooth, use MMS messaging(at the end of summer), and text ridiculously fast using a new wide screen large button keyboard!!!

It was a miracle! I was saved! I did a happy dance and flew to my office to update as fast as I could! With the iPhone updates its like I'm getting a new phone every few months...without the expense!!! Now don't get me wrong...it doesn't have the larger memory, larger battery, video camera, or compass that the 3GS has but thats ok. I can live without those. Finally a phone that can satisfy my ever roaming eye. Once again my iPhone is shiny, new, neato, wowza and ever so intriguing! And I once again can shop peacefully again without the green eyed monster of "I WANT THAT!" rearing its ugly head! Best Buy...Here I come!

Now when it comes to computers...well I'm still looking for a 12 step program for that addiction! But they do say that admiting you have a problem is the first step so at least I'm on the road to recovery!!!

Parts of our past..

2009-06-22T23:26:00.005-05:00

I realized today that there are quite a few big events that have happened in our (mine and Kevin's) life that some of you might not know about. I've briefly mentioned them before but never given any explanation. I'm going to attempt to start a post that tells a little bit about the history of Kevin and I and some other topics. I have my big final project due on Saturday and my Journalism TEXES also on Saturday so it may be a couple of days before it gets posted. A work in progress... I know I have a couple of readers that visit but don't comment. I'm going to open myself up for some questions if you would like...What is something you would like to know about me? I'm really wanting to start blogging about a few topics that interest me but I don't really know what people like to see. If it is embarassing I might have to pass but I'll really try to answer it if you ask. If I get one question commented on this blog I will be beyond suprised. If I get more...I will be thrilled. So what do you say? Wanna make my day? :)

What The Heart Wants

Can you believe...

The very best...

Merry Christmas!

Karleigh-Random 1st Month Pictures

1 Month Old-November 27th, 2010

2 Weeks Old-November 10th, 2010!

She's Here!

Baby Update 10.23.10

Week 36 & 37

Week 35

Baby Shower & Nursery

Week 28-A Chinese Cabbage AKA The Third Trimester

Week 25-A Rutabaga

E-Mealz

Weeks 22, 23, and 24

And the winners are...

An Extension...

A Celebration, a Name, and a Giveaway!

Week 20- A Banana & Week 21- A Carrot

Whoops...

I can already tell...

Boy or Girl?

Trinkets By Lindsay

19 Weeks-A Large Heirloom Tomato

A Funk

18 Weeks-A Bell Pepper

Door A, B, or C???

17 Weeks-A Turnip

16 Weeks-An Avocado

15 Weeks-An Apple *Updated*

14 Weeks-A Lemon

What to do with today...

13 Weeks-My Little Shrimp

If I hear...

12 Weeks-Say No To Fritos!

Spring...scratch that...Summer Fever!

11 Weeks

Friday, March 26th, 2010-The Big Surprise!

I am THAT girl...

My Handsome Husband...

You might remember...

On The Road Again...

The Honest Scrap Award

Happy Valentine's Day!

Black Angus

Free Sister Hazel 20 song download-TODAY ONLY!

One of the best parts of today...

My Choice

Silly me...

Need Some Advice...

A follower once again...lol

Longest Short Week Ever

The rest of the story...

Menu Plan Monday 1/11/10

All of Me

Decade in Review

The many names of...

Merry Christmas!!!

Holiday Photo Contest

It's Christmas Time Again!

This makes me so upset!

BB

7 years...

So I wanted to make breakfast burritos this morning...

Teachers of the world...I need your opinion!

Sonogram

How things have been...

Meal Kits

Shattered Diamonds

OMG

Just a little smoke...

Crazy Cat...

New Teacher Orientation and an Awesome Baby Brother

2009 Summer Vacation Day 4 & 5

2009 Summer Vacation Day 3 Part 2 AEROSMITH!

Menu Plan Monday 8/9/09

4 Amazing Words...

2009 Summer Vacation Day 3 Part 1

Fantabulously Frugal-A Giveaway!

15 Weeks-An Apple Updated