The Letter G.....Girls Night and Goals......

Tonight's blog is brought to you by the letter G. Tonight I had girls night with Heather, Kim and Traci. I NEEDED this so bad. We sat and talked for two hours and then I never laughed so hard in a long time. It really did me good to see them and have a good laugh. It took a lot of stress off of me!

Now on to goals.....still staying at 8 pounds....not really moving no matter if I eat, or if I stay on my strict diet. I'm still trying to walk 3 times a week, and most of the time I make it. Maybe I'll come up with the next miracle drug!! Household projects are great. Boys room painted, flower bed in back done, deck stained, shutters re-painted, porch touch up painted, and flower bed by mailbox is completed. I even bought mums for my pot, but that doesn't count. There are my 6 for the year, but still have more to do.....just waiting to hit the lottery!! (ha ha). Still not doing well on having people over, but with my schedule and Jack's schedule, I don't know if that will happen.

My Sweetheart is Home!!!

Jack came home this morning....after leaving SF at 10:30 last night (1:30) here. He met UNC's coach, Roy Williams and got a picture with him (not sure how to transport that from his file, but that's another post). Sara had asked if the kids could come over and play, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect....I was able to have a couple of hours with him before the kids yelled "daddy" and demanded his attention. Thank you so much, Sara!!! What a perfect gift, even though it was supposed to be for your sanity (ha ha). Jack brought the kids gifts and even one for me too this time. I got a Ghiradelli apron (and I NEEDED an apron) and a brownie kit with chocolates. My gift really would have been to have him home, but a little chocolate never hurts either (unless you are on the 10 pound challenge!!) I broke my apron in and made some chocolate/peanut butter buckeye bars!! (I'll save the brownies for a time when I really need them)

Getting Back on Track.....

• Only two more nights/days until Jack gets home. I enjoyed the first night by myself, except when it was time to sleep, but after that night I was lonely and I needed him here. I don't know how single moms do it. Hopefully, I can make it until then.
• I have tomorrow off. Johnston County workday....the kids have school, so I can walk, and get some major work done around here! I am so excited!!!
• Jack tells me he is going to Salt Lake City in October. This time it's only 3 days, but he is staying in a 5 star resort/hotel....which makes me want to go so bad!! I could enjoy luxury while he is working. Hmmm...only problem.....child care, school, etc....someone has to hold down the fort!!!

New Shirt

Jenna wanted to show off the new shirt I bought her. I wish I could do this myself and make an entire closet full for her. I bought it big so hopefully she can get a couple of years out of it. She also started soccer again, which keeps my Mondays VERY BUSY!!! Joshua is also playing on Thursdays, but at least this is all just for a little while!

Struggling

I must admit, I've been having a hard time lately. I'm struggling in a lot of areas.
1. I'm having a hard time because I feel like the "bad guy" of the family. I'm the one who has to make sure their homework gets done, baths are finished, tests are studied for etc. I try to have everything done so that Jack can enjoy them when he gets home, and once daddy gets home they get to play....so that makes me look like the mean drill sergeant.
2. I also have a hard time because I get jealous of women who have their men working from home, or they get home very early. I could get out with friends earlier and more often. Since he doesn't get home until 6 or after, he doesn't have a lot of time with the kids, so I do try to have the majority of stuff done so that he can spend time with them.
3. I have a hard time because I'm a little tired of being the "assistant". Melody gets all the parents letters and compliments as well as all the credit. Things are done "her way". Even with teaching at SCS, I "share the responsibility". Joshua made a comment to me the other day, and I guess it "stung". "Mom, why are you always the helper and never the real teacher". Maybe I'm wrong because I feel like I have a gift working with the young kids, but I am so ready to take the reigns (and maybe some day I might regret saying this). I would like to plan the month, do the bulletin boards, talk to the parents.....blah blah blah!
4. Lastly I struggle because because I'm tired of being the assistant, I'm not really happy at preschool. I hope that changes. I enjoyed my time (and I guess that spoiled me), and I enjoyed subbing at the kid's school any time I was called. Jenene has asked me for 3 more days and I had to turn two of them down. I would like to be around the kids at school more. Maybe it's because at least then I'm in charge, and it makes me feel like I can handle it!!! Maybe it's because in both classes we have autistic children, plus other ones that are difficult.

Maybe I should just give this year some time. Maybe I should just learn to be content with my journey for now. Maybe I should realize this is all part of being a mom.

New Hairbow

I only wish Jenna could keep hair bows in her hair. She has my wave, but Jack's fine hair. It stayed in her hair part of the day. I know it is hard to see but it has a "J" on it. She got her first progress report today, and her teacher said she was a joy to have!! She may be a little biased as she does go to our church!!!

First Two Days of School....

I have had my first two days of school. It hasn't been as bad as I thought. I thought today would be horrible with a girl that has something wrong (not sure what it is) one that has autism and then another boy. The little girl with autism was just fine.

My four year old class:
Aiden---sweet little boy that won my heart last year. He started in February, but he just really has a special place in my heart.
Bryson....the 4 year old that does have something wrong. Still in pullups, not potty trained. I think he might have autism. He was flapping his arms around and then making strange noises at the table...short attention span.
Carter....returning from last year. A cute boy, but sometimes hard to control. Mom lets him get his way, and I have seen that several times, even away from preschool.
Cheyenne....A little girl that was a preemie. Sweet. She was in the two year old class last year, but jumped to the 4's this year because mom had her tested. I think she needs to go in with the 3's because she is "behind". Sweet girl, not a troublemaker.
ETHAN....cute boy. Had his sister for the past two years. Quiet, not a troublemaker.
JESSICA P. The cutest little girl with curls. New to school, cried a little, but she will melt my heart.
JESSICA V. Also new to the school. Had no troubles.
EMILY....had her last year, her sister the previous year. Not really a problem. Loves to give hugs and I love to receive them!
JONAH....I had him in camp over the summer. Will talk your ear off. Comes from a great home, very well trained.
OLIVIA....I've had Olivia for two years. She missed the school cutoff, so we have her again. She is very close to my heart!
STEPHEN.....A very tall little boy. Very obedient....loves it when he smiles!!

3 year olds

AIDAN....had a rough first day....cried, new to preschool, but I think he will be fine.
BRYSON....Since he goes to our church, he already has a place in my heart. He did perfect. We won't have problems with him!
ANNABELLE....the little girl with autism, but she really did great. I think she will be very close to my heart.
JOSH...sick today, but played a little rough in orientation
TAYLOR....New, cute blonde little boy, quiet, but does what he is asked
TESSA....had her sister last year, she was very good.
SUFIYA.....sweetest little girl. Had her sister 3 years ago.
SAVANNA....Can't help but smile when you see her!
GABRIEL....Likes to stay close to you
KYLE.....had more issues with mom! Spent part of his day sitting behind the door, and trying to break out, but I started playing with him and he warmed up to both of us after an hour
LILLIAN....walked in like she was a pro at this. We'll get along fine.

So, there is my class in a nutshell. Ask me in a couple of weeks how it is going!!!

"vacation" is over

I use that term so loosely because some think I have been on vacation for the past 3 weeks. I think that is funny. I worked one entire week, and the other days I was cooking, doing laundry, doing projects, cleaning, exercising, getting homework finished....so it certainly was not a vacation. I don't stop in the middle of the day and take a nap. I don't sleep in....my kids need breakfast and to get to school. So, although I have so enjoyed this time alone, it was certainly not a vacation!!!!
I met my "students" today. My four year old class looks really good. I have 3 returning from last year, two other little girls who are so cute, a little boy that I requested. There are some others but out of the 11, 10 look to be ok. Well, one from last year is spoiled and a handful, but at least I know. I do have one 4 year old boy....dad has a long ponytail, mom looks and dresses like she is 50. The boy seems to be a handful and worse yet, is not potty trained....come on people...if your going to send your 4 year old to school, have him potty trained!!!!!! He will be coming in pullups and I looked at mom and told her we would change once, but after that we were calling her to come and change (because we are not equipped to do that and it takes us away). Get this, one of the other classes the mom told her not to call her....just keep him in a poopy diaper until she gets back.....are you serious???? Anyway, I think I can survive my 4 year old class.
My three year old class has 11 this year. I'm not sure about this one. We have two boys that seem to be rough. Girls look ok except for one girl who is autistic. She will have a therapist coming in two days a week to work with her. I hope I can make it through!!
I'm already praying for next year. I'm thinking about just working 3 days a week or sending out my resumes to other local preschools for a lead position.

thanks chick fil a!

Did you get your free chicken sandwich Monday? Our family did. You just had to wear any team sport shirt or hat, walk in and get your sandwich. We walked in and took ours home (yes we are cheap) and it was so good!!! I had a Duke shirt and of course Jack had panther stuff. We even put one of his shirts on Jacob. Jenna had a hat and Josh had a UNC shirt (which he hated) that I got a yard sale a long time ago. Thanks chick fil a for a nice lunch!

this is what happens after a sleep over

Friday night Joshua went to a sleep over at a friends house. I do know they got some sleep, but I'm not sure how much. There were about 10 boys there, most of them from his class at school. I'm so TRULY THANKFUL that Joshua has some good friends in his life. I've been around these boys, and they are well....boys, but they are good kids. I know the mom and she told me everything they were going to be doing. He had a great time, but things are catching up with him!!!

i found my passion

I didn't want to label this I found my gift or I found my talent, because I don't know if this is my gift/talent, but I have found what I love to do.....only it's too late in my life to pursue it. This week I have been VERY busy subbing for different teachers. Tuesday I spent the morning working with second grade, yesterday I worked in the afternoon with first grade (Jacob's class) and today I spent the entire day with the second graders again. I LOVED every minute of it. Tomorrow morning I will be teaching one of the kindergarten classes. I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed doing this. I just wish I would have stayed with my original major, elementary education. I would cut my preschool hours down if I knew that this would be a regular thing, but with only 8-9 teachers, I know it won't happen as frequent as it has been this year. I need to be happy being the asst preschool teacher and maybe next year I will send out resumes trying to find my "own class". I really don't know how working moms do it. I am so exhausted!!!

having so much fun

I've had so much fun this week, however, I have missed my free time. Monday of course is the day I go in and teach keyboarding to 2 and a half classes. I don't like the particular program, but we can make the best of it. Yesterday I got a call from Mrs. Davis asking me to sub half day for the second grade class. I LOVED it. It was a challenge, but it was so much fun. She wanted me to sub this morning, but I have a staff meeting. Last night I got an email asking if I would sub this afternoon! Yay!!!! I'm subbing for Jacob's class now! I'm happy! She asked me to sub the 22nd, but I couldn't do that. There is a chance I could sub tomorrow and Friday, but we'll just have to see. If not, I would LOVE to get groceries and work done around the house. If I get a chance to sub, that's just more experience on my ever impressive resume......ha ha ha!!!