Fabulous February

Ok, so I couldn't think of another "F" word to go with February, so that will have to do. It's been a good month. We've been passing around colds back and forth to each other, the science fair has come and gone, and we've had a lot of other adventures. I started keeping Hannah on February 10th. It's been working good so far. I love having a little girl around, however I think it cured my baby longings. I forgot how much working getting a young one in and out of the car was and how I have to keep a hold of her wherever I go. I've grown very attached to her in the short time. The kids ADORE her. They fight over her....who will sit by her in the van, who sits by her at the table etc. I think they would love another little one, but thankfully that isn't happening.

I still haven't done my "happy dance". Yes, that last 1/2 pound just won't come off. I'm still working out and have started the couch to 5k thing. I have done my first week and hope I can continue on the program. Wouldn't it be fun if I could actually run a race with Jack after being together for 16 years?

We still have decisions to make, but are taking one day at a time and seeing how God leads and how doors open and shut for us.

Overall, it's been a good February and I'm looking forward to a Marvelous March!!

Science Fair 2012

It's been a crazy weekend and week at the McLean house. We had three science fair projects due for the 2012 SCS science fair. Jenna's topic was biomes. She chose the ocean. She typed her paper (with help with the research) and made an ocean scene from a shoe box. Jack and her made a whale that could move, used sea shells, and also used sweedish fish. It was cute. Jake and Josh could pick anything. Jacob picked "Video games with a beat"......does your heart rate go up when you play video games. I must admit it was a fun little project and his was not a lot of work:). Joshua could also pick anything, so we did "Can you blame your burnt cookies on the pan?" We tested cookies on several different pans and kept everything the same. We set the dough out for 30 minutes each time, preheated the oven for 10 minutes each time, used an ice cream scooper to measure the cookies and also only baked them for 12 minutes. He also had to make a log book and write a paper!! (Jacob also wrote a paper). They both also had to state the problem, form a hypothesis, chart the results and write a conclusion. All of them were very interesting but I am so glad to have them done!!!

The Biggest Loser

It's no secret that one of my favorite shows is The Biggest Loser. If I am home on a Tuesday night, I will be watching it. Although I do not like some of the contestants, I love to watch their stories and their transformations. I must admit, I feel like one of the contestants on TBL. Although I don't eat tiny meals like they do, I know how they feel to step on the scale and only lose 1 pound.
Have you ever seen the show in the first week? The contestants usually lose double digits on the scale, but yet they are so large, you can't even tell they lost weight. It is usually week 4-5 before you can start to see the transformation begin. This week I feel like the biggest loser. I am one half pound away from losing 10 pounds. I am so excited to see a new middle number on the scale and I am so happy that in two months I have done this (especially since I'm not really dieting) but yet, I am a little sad that I'm still so heavy that you can't tell that I have lost 10 pounds. There is still not a change in the way my clothes feel, but maybe when I hit 20 pounds that will happen. There is only one area of my body where I can see the difference. I guess I just have to wait for the rest of my body to catch up. So I am proud and excited, but still wanting a "transformation" of my own:) If you hear a big scream this week it's because I finally lost that half pound (which is stubborn) and have hit the 10 pound mark!!

Jenna

If this won't get you to smile on a Wednesday, I don't know what will. I caught her like this studying with her dad when I got back from the gym. If you will notice, she lost ANOTHER tooth (3 in two weeks). We are going broke!!

Also, I figured out how to put my menu back on the side bar. Happy Wednesday!

New Adventures

Today I started down a new path. I am watching Hannah. Hannah is a sweet little 2 year old from our church. It was so hard to give up subbing, but after my discussion last night with Jack, I know this was the right thing. Next year there will be someone doing their student teaching at Southside, so they will have a "built in sub" while she is there. Also, the chairman of the school board's wife just filled out a form to sub. Her daughter will be in kindergarten next year so she will be able to sub now. I really feel like that was two strikes against me of not getting enough sub jobs. God is really opening up paths for me too. Doors seem to be really opening up that I'm not even sure what the future will hold for next year. Right now I will just walk through this door and enjoy Hannah for the rest of the school year!!

A Mother's Heart

As a mom, I always want what is best for my children. Sometimes, you just don't know what is best. One of my children struggles a little at school. I will be happy to discuss it privately with you if you would like to know how to pray for us. I am torn as a mother to know what is best for my child. They have been on medicine for several months now. The first medicine was a nightmare and this one is much better, however this child has had a lot of problems sleeping at night. I have given the child a break on the weekends from their medicine. Last week I accidentally forgot to give them the medicine. The teacher noticed a big change in my child. The child was more outgoing and actually acted more involved and asked questions in class. I did the same thing yesterday (on purpose) and again the teachers told me what an improvement in personality they saw in my child. She told me that she would much rather teach this child than the personality they are on with the medicine. My first reaction was "ok....we are taking the child off the medicine" or possibly decreasing the amount.....but my child told me today that they feel they can work better when they are on the medicine. My heart is torn to know what is the right thing to do.
On the same note this child really wants to be home schooled next year. J told me (instead of using the word child) that they thought the work load would be much easier and thus we could drop the medicine. Part of me would be willing to do this, but I don't want J to think that they got their way or that when life gets hard there is always an easier way.
And finally my heart is heavy because for the first time in my life, we owe taxes. I guess Jack's severance and bonus was to blame. I know I will send at least one child back, but I'm worried about the other two. I know I could home school, but I don't feel the "calling" right now. Like I said before, I want what is best for my kids and for us, I think that is attending a school.. All I can do is pray about the other two and watch God work.

Menu Planning Wednesday

Here is what is on the menu for the week at the McLean household:
Wed: twice baked potato/salad
Thur: breakfast for dinner
Friday: out (date night......FINALLY)
Sat: pork chops or hamburgers (whatever is on sale)
Sun: roast, corn, potatoes
Mon: chili
Tue: crock pot lasagna

Fun with Friends

Part of Josh's birthday got extended to this past weekend. We were able to get the Hurricane's tickets again for $10 each and $1 hot dogs. I told him that he could have 3 friends go to the hockey game with him, so he chose Brandon, Gabriel and Travis. I'm glad the hot dogs were $1 each as those boys can really down the hot dogs:) I know I can be cheap, but at least cheap is fun:)

Joyful January

It's hard to believe that January is over and a new month has begun. I was trying to think of a word to describe the month but couldn't come up with one. The month started really slow. Later in the month, things picked up for me work wise. It ended up being a great month for the extra money that was prayed for. I wanted to earn enough money to send Josh and Jake to the Wilds, and that came in. That was a huge blessing. I also started praying that God would provide me a job......even if that was next year when the new preschool year starts. Then a couple of weeks later something weird started to happen. Things started to come at once. I started to get a lot of subbing jobs, and I LOVE to sub! Then one day I went to the gym and my old preschool called and wanted me to come in to sub for the morning......but get this, the same afternoon Missy called me and asked me to watch Hannah on a permanent basis. Wow.....be careful what you pray for:) I went from nothing to maybe several doors opening up. Missy told me to pray about it and talk to Jack.
It's funny because one of the times I kept Hannah in the past I told Jack that if I had a little girl to watch like Hannah, I would do it because she is so good and she doesn't keep me from what I need to do. Jack was so good and said "what's there to think about?" I knew that if I turned down this job, than I couldn't complain about not having a job. I didn't even think I could pray about another job if I turned this one down. I had turned down a preschool position in Smithfield a few weeks prior to this. Although the money isn't as good as subbing, it is a consistent job and I can still do my normal routine. There are days like today where I know I'm gonna miss subbing (where the kids run up to you and hug you and say "Mrs. McQueen.....yes that what some of the little ones call me) but I am looking forward to keeping this sweet little girl and possibly even doing "preschool" here at the house with her. I start February 13th.
January was also Joshua's 11th birthday. The time is just flying by. We enjoyed it by eating out at Chili's and having cake at the house.
I've also been spending a lot of time at the gym. I so enjoy cardio dance. That by far is my favorite class. It doesn't even feel like exercise.....it's that fun. I also enjoy the step aerobics class, although that is truly a workout. The discouraging part is that I haven't lost any weight. I sometimes feel like one of the defeated contestants on the biggest loser. I probably should count calories or do something like that.....but it's hard when you have to cook for your family. I know what they like and what they will eat, and I don't want to make separate meal for me. I guess maybe I might move to eating a frozen meal or a protein bar at nights to see if that helps. That was my January in a nutshell. Can't wait to see what February holds.

Jenna...and Wednesday's Menu

Jenna lost two teeth last week! I think the tooth fairy has officially went broke. Here is a picture of her. She has a white nose and rabbit ears because she did a book report and had to bring a prop or dress in character so that is why she looks silly.

Wed.....hot dogs and ff

Thursday: swiss chicken

Friday.....appetizer night

Saturday.....going to a Cane's game with $1 hot dogs

Sunday.....we were going to have a super bowl party, but changed our minds.....not sure what we will do

Monday: shrimp and french fries

Tuesday: spaghetti and garlic bread

My menu isn't the greatest for the week.......I need quick things as I have been working.....getting home at 4, starting homework, cooking dinner, etc!