This is the latest slideshow. For those that can access it, it is better to view on myspace.com as I have a song that plays with the slideshow on there. I have yet to figure out how to do this on blogspot. The lyrics to the song follow.

Song: MY VALENTINE LYRICS

If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you

If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you

And even if the sun refuse to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time
You're all i need
My love, my valentine

All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes
And showed me how to love unselfishly

I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
In my dreams i couldnt love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time
You're all i need
My love, my valentine

La da da
Da da da da

And even if the sun refuse to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time
Cuz all i need
Is you, my valentine

You're all i need
My love, my valentine

I will not! No way! No how!

Current mood: pissed off

So, I'm sitting in my teacher education class today and we're discussing an assignment. Out of the clear, blue sky the teacher holds his hand in the air and asks, "Who lives in Cherokee County?" Obediently, I raise my hand along with many others. Then he says, "Keep those hands up. Who plans on TEACHING in Cherokee County?" Some hands fell but mine and a couple others stayed up.

He then proceeds to tell us of a policy that the Cherokee County Board of Ed has for its teachers regarding drinking in public. Evidently, when you sign your teaching contract with the county there is either a clause or another "morality" contract that you must also sign that states that you are not allowed to drink in any public place in the county or it's considered grounds for dismissal because a student's parents may see you and use it to unfairly pass judgment on your character.

I'm not a big drinker, but I like a drink every once in awhile - especially if I'm celebrating a special occasion (a date without the kids qualifies). But what if Stefan is having a beer and a parent assumes that it's mine? What then? It's their word against mine. Do you think I'd still have a job? Probably not.

What's worse, a glass of wine with dinner or shopping for a Super Bowl party with a cart full of various beers and alcoholic drinks? The former being grounds for dismissal and the latter being allowable. This is just plain S-T-U-P-I-D!

In a time when we are hurting so badly for teachers, why is a county that is experiencing such growth giving teacher candidates such a trivial reason to get a job in another county? This is old fashioned. I thought we were beyond this narrow-minded way of thinking. All this and yet there are no measures or assessments done to see if a teacher candidate is at-risk for potentially "taking advantage" of their students! I could go on!

So I have decided (for now anyway) that I will not teach in Cherokee County unless this changes, because there are neighboring school districts that don't impose such rules and pay more! I was willing to take less money to work closer to home, but not anymore.

A long, hungry week

Current mood: hungry

A YMCA opened in Canton months ago and I've always thought about joining given the facilities and the child care that is included with a membership. I did not, however, count on the monthly fee being so huge. That was enough to turn me away at first. Meanwhile, I encouraged my parents to go and check it out because I heard that scholarships are available based on financial need. Given the fact that they are both "retired" they qualified.

I just joined a little over a week ago due to the fact that the numbers on the scale reached a number I thought that I would only see as a pregnant woman. I knew something must be done. So I joined. Let me just vent about one simple thing with the Y though. The memberships there are so astronomical for a lone adult that both of my parents' memberships COMBINED equals 1/2 of my monthly membership!!! I thought that the Y was supposed to be the affordable alternative to pricey gyms. I was wrong.(end vent)

I don't regret it though. I am more comfortable there than I was at the last gym I was a member at pre-marriage, pre-kids, and pre-spare tire (coincidentally I thought I had weight to lose then and I was 25 pounds less than I am now). The first time I had a chance to take advantage of the facility was a week after I signed up. What's funny to me, is I lost 5 pounds in that week! I guess just knowing that I'm paying for it is enough to guide my hand in making better food choices. But I'll tell you this much...it's been a long, hungry week.

Automotive genius, Miss Priss, and Girls' Night!

Current mood: rejuvenated

Since we got the SUV, we try to drive the car for any significant distances that we travel without the kids. For example, I drive it to school (approximately 15 miles) and Stefan drives it to work (30+ miles). Since we have instituted this policy, the miles have sky rocketed on the car and now it is finally needing some regular maintenance.

It now has 83K miles, but Stefan has been checking the brakes since 40K thinking they needed to be done. Thursday, on my way to school was the sign he has been looking for all this time. They were making a scraping noise. You know the one. That sound that comes right before the high pitched squeal that dogs from a five mile radius hate to hear. We called our bargain mechanic up the street but he was going to charge almost $300 (not bad) . So, Stefan decided to tackle the job with the help of my dad. The only thing is Stefan wanted to do them on Saturday and my dad was only available on Sunday. So, Stefan decided to do it himself...and he did. It may have taken him the better part of the morning but he completed the task and the work. Well...at least the car stops so we THINK they work. Needless to say, Stefan's automotive prowess ego has been blown up to biblical proportions.

On a side note, while Stefan was working on the car Lexi felt the need to be involved somehow. At one point she went out in the garage and sat in her Lexi-sized chair to read a book.

When Stefan made some noise she said, "Daddy, keep it down. I'm trying to concentrate."

I think you can guess what his response was. Later, she decided to have a tea party in her playhouse in the back yard. Again, Stefan was making too much noise, so she went in the garage and said, "Daddy, stop making all that noise. I'm trying to have a tea party."

Last night was girls' night out for me and friend/ex-neighbor, Susan. She and I left the boys and kids at our house while we went to The Melting Pot. It was good and the conversation was continuous and on an adult level - something you miss terribly when you stay home with the kids most of the time. When we got back, the kids were all asleep, the boys were watching a movie, and (amazingly) the house was still intact.

We got news this morning, that Stefan's grandmother had a fainting episode today. She's under observation at the hospital for the day but some things have been ruled out already. Please keep her and Stefan's family in your prayers while some sense is made of this situation.

Six

Current mood: cheeky

Tonight, after dinner, Lexi wanted some cherry tomatoes to help fill her tummy just a bit more. Stefan asked her how many she wanted. No response.

He said, "How about six?"
She said, "Ten."
He repeated, "How about six?"
She said, "Ten."
He said, "How about none?"
She said, "Ten."
He said, "How about none?"
She said, "Okay, six."




This is only funny to those that know that my whole life I have been scarred by the simple fact that when I was Lexi's age my mom would only let me have five gummy bears for dessert. Having five meant that I couldn't bite their backs off, stick them together, and make them into two-headed gummies. I always thought it was unfair that I couldn't just have one more so that my two-headed monsters would be three complete sets because you know I wouldn't give one back to have only two sets. Since then, my parents have wrapped five lone gummy bears in black tissue paper to put in my stocking at Christmas time.

Due to my post "On when what you can do just isn't good enough" Gary, the lead pastor at our church, won't speak to me (I think he's just joking, but you never know for sure with him). I guess he didn't read all the way to the bottom of the post where I said that everything was resolved and I felt like an idiot. I don't regret anything that I said. It was a way of venting my feelings of inadequacy and I don't regret saying it, because getting it out made me feel better. I will not censor anything I say on here just because I know who is reading and I'm sure that Gary can relate to that.

Anyway, today was my day to begin working in the nursery. When I showed up Gary said that I was "on his crap list" until next week. Oh well. I went back to the nursery, had to fill out a form for a background check (something I'm not worried about at all since I have them all the time for my teaching program, but was surprised (and thankful) that they required), and proceeded to the nursery. The first service, we had three workers and four kids and it went so smoothly. The second service, there were five workers and nine kids and still went surprisingly smoothly although the bunch was a bit more demanding. We all worked good as a team and got the job done. That's what counts.

This is to see if Gary actually reads my posts all the way through to the end...
I ain't hatin' dude!

A hodgepodge of what's been going on

This is going to seem a bit jumbled and with good reason. I've been a bit behind on uploading images so some stories have already been told, and others have not.

I've mentioned before about Abby's "friend" that has been following her everywhere she goes. She still hasn't figured it out, but this was taken this morning when she decided to show her "friend" some love.

This isn't considered narcissistic is it?







I was finally able to get a shot of her teeth. This was taken last weekend. You have to look close, but they're there.



Last weekend, we has some really awesome weather. We actually hit the 70s in January. Sunday, we decided to take the girls to the park. This was Abby's first time down the slide...Strawberella's (Lexi's doll) too!



One night this week, I was giving the girls their baths - Abby first, then Lexi. I took Abby out of the tub, dried her off, got her dressed, and stood up to take her to her room. I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of Lou in the bathroom. He laid down on the rug like he too wanted to be dried and slathered with lotion. I just laughed, laid Abby down, went downstairs for the camera should the opportunity arise again, and started Lexi with her bath. After Lexi's bath, I noticed Lou was doing the same thing. What a little baby!

Our quirky kids

Current mood: cold

Today, Stefan and I went to the mall to get some wardrobe fillers for the girls and myself. Stefan ended up finding a great deal on fleece pullovers from Old Navy. They were knocking an additional 50% off of their orange tagged clearance and he got each for $2.30. He plans on having them embroidered with his company logo. Unfortunately, I didn't find any such deals in the women's department. Go figure. But anyway, I figured I'd pass on the news if any of you that read this need some clothes.

Abby has been pondering a dilemma lately. There is another baby following her every where she goes. It's in the bathroom after baths. It's in the hallway when we come downstairs. It's outside the sliding glass door when she's eating. It even looks back at her in the car. Of course it's her own reflection, but I don't think that she has figured that out yet.

Today, she was wearing her pink hat in the car and was talking to the baby in her "Baby in View" mirror as if to say, "Do you realize how ridiculous you look? How could you let your mom put that on you? I would never let MY mom put something like that on me!"

It kind of reminds me of the song that plays at the beginning of Toy Story, "You've Got a Friend in Me." I think that Abby thinks that this is just a friend that is always around.

Lexi got in trouble last week for getting up and talking to other kids during nap time. I took away her privilege to play with the neighbors after school and told her that when I got a good report from her teacher, that she could play with them again. It didn't bother her much until they came and rang the doorbell for her and I made her tell them why she couldn't play. It only took three school days before she did so well, that she earned the title of "Mystery Napper" - which just means that she followed all the rules. She was so proud when she got in the car and was able to tell us that..it's a title she's been wanting for awhile but has not been able to earn.

Tonight while I was giving Abby a bottle in her room, Lexi was changing into her pajamas. She came into Abby's room, turned around, and mooned me! I was astonished. I asked her who she has seen do this, because I know she hasn't seen any of us do it, and she replied with DJ (the little boy that picks on her). I couldn't believe it so I asked again for clarification and she said no one. I told her that is not a nice thing to do and the next time she does it she'll be grounded again because I'm not sure she understood that it was something bad. Now she knows so we'll see.

We're expecting a "wintry mix" tomorrow. I'm kind of hoping that school will be canceled because I'm just having a hard time still being motivated and getting into the groove again.

On when what you can do just isn't good enough

Current mood: disappointed

This is just a rant of which most of you should just ignore...the only reason I'm posting it is so when I look back at this entry in a few months I can laugh at myself.

I recently volunteered for the infant room at our church. I volunteered to serve both services on the third Sunday of each month. That wasn't good enough because they want me to serve every Sunday for one service. Don't get me wrong. I love our church and the messages we hear each week and the fellowship. This situation just struck a chord and kind of offended me.

Those that know me know that Stefan and I only have Saturdays and Sundays together and, in many ways but not all, I live a life much like most single moms in the sense that the care for our children is mostly up to me and if I want to do something, I must make sure that my children are tended to first or I don't get to do what I want to. And I'm fine with that.

My free time is very limited. So, for me to volunteer it means that I believe in the reason for which I am volunteering. I kind of feel that this situation applies to the old saying, "Give an inch and they'll take a mile."

There are so many times when I feel inadequate because I don't have time to do everything that my heart wants me to because I'm doing what my kids need me to do. Again, I'm fine with that but this situation just magnified that feeling of inadequacy. I guess it's not so much about the volunteering just the reminder of how little time we have as a family that has me so bothered.

End rant.

Since writing this, I received an email saying that what I can do is good enough. I told you I would laugh at myself. I feel like a big idiot.

Chock full of nuts

Current mood: indescribable

Well, now that the subject caught your attention...this blog is going to full full of pictures all of which the subjects are nuts. Enjoy!!

I finally finished the remake of the blanket my dog ruined for my neighbor. I delivered it to her as soon as I freed it from the hook because I didn't want another K-9 mishap to happen to this one. She loved it and I don't think it turned out too badly.



The girls had a pretty eventful day today. I'll start with Abby. She turned 8 months!!! But that's not it. She cut her second tooth today which has been trying to make an appearance for a week, but cut the skin today. She also sat up unassisted for 5 minutes in her playpen. This is the first time she has done this with enough longevity that I felt that I didn't need to be right there to keep her from keeling over.




Lexi's playroom has been lacking a vital piece of furniture for awhile. Since she was still having accidents, I didn't feel comfortable getting her anything of value. We finally decided that now is the time. Stefan found a great loveseat for the space. The reason why this particular thing falls under the subject of nuts is that it drove me there putting it together. It took me just as long to tighten the last screw as it did to put the rest of the thing together. Don't get me wrong, it was a quick build and total time was only 45 minutes not to mention the 3 of the neighbors were over playing with Lexi distracting me when I was trying to do that. But half of that was one stinking screw! Without further ado, I present to you the new and improved "Lexi's Lounge."

Look left...



Look right...



Look middle...



And it folds out into a bed...BONUS!!!



Onto Lexi's glasses. This child just has bad luck with glasses. The first pair was great, but they were swallowed by the ocean on our Florida trip. The second pai r was bought in a hurry in between said trip and the beginning of the school year. They were the color Lexi loves...Pink of course! Well, these frames are a nightmare! The are supposed to twist and bend, but they get bent so badly that we have had to take them to get adjusted a couple of times. They lose nose pads all the time and now...they broke so badly that Pearle decided to replace them. But the pink frames were on back order so the guy took it upon himself to order another color. They are kind of a copperish, brownish, yuck of a color but...Lexi liked them so I had to settle for them. I just think that they are too dark for her face. But anyway it doesn't matter if I like them, it's if she does.




On that note, the nuts are done. I hope you enjoyed.

Big Girls' Night Out

Friday night, Lexi and I ditched Abby with Grandma and went for a big girls night out. We started with a movie, "Happily N'Ever After" by the makers of "Shrek." It was decent if you have a kid and must take them to something on a rainy day. Lexi got a kid pack of popcorn, fruit snacks, and a drink (which she accepted only under great protest). By the end of the movie, she ate and drank every last drop or morsel. I was rather impressed with that and the fact that the movie held her attention enough where she didn't ask to go to the bathroom just as a means of escape (which she has been known to do in the past).

After the movie, I treated Lexi to mexican food at Dos Margaritas. I don't know what it is with this place. Maybe I'm spoiled to Viva Mexico which is right across the street from my house and has fast, friendly service. We ordered and they brought our food. Lexi ordered a cheese quesadilla. When I went to cut it up for her, the cheese on the inside wasn't even melted. I sent it back and they brought a new one a few minutes later. Halfway through her eating that, she had to go to the bathroom so I took her. When we returned, they had cleared our table. I hadn't even received the bill yet and everything was gone. We sat back down and after some confused gazes by our server he finally came over and said, "Is everything okay, lady?" What?!?! I told him what just happened and I never saw him again. Some other waiter took over our station. By the time they brought Lexi her food again, she wasn't hungry. We got it packaged to go and left to pick up Abby.

What a night!

Sunday, two things occurred that brought a little bit of that wet discharge to my eye although I didn't actually have any of it spill over. I mentioned a couple at our church in a previous blog titled "A Season of Miracles" who adopted a son. I was linked to this woman's blog by our pastor who was listing some people (myself included) from church as a way for people to get to know each other a bit better. I clicked on her blog and was captured by her story of adoption and became an avid reader. Well, today I not only met her and her husband, but their precious little man. I was so overcome with joy for them.

The second thing that happened was that a couple from our church who has been married for 50 years renewed their vows during the service today. What an inspiration these two are! Again with the wet discharge, darn it!

I'm sorry...so sorry...

Current mood: giggly

You know...I used to watch America's Funniest Home Videos and see segments all the time with babies that fell asleep in their high chairs. I used to think to myself, "What kind of parent would leave their child in a high chair long enough for that to happen?"

The other day, I found out. It doesn't take long at all. Abby was in her high chair for only a few minutes while we ate our lunch when this pic was taken.



I take back any judgments or criticisms I held against the parents of the children in the videos.

Tear it up!

Current mood: busy

I have spent 5 hours in the last week on cleaning areas of the house that are claimed by my dear eldest daughter. I love her dearly but my goodness she can wreck a room in minutes! Maybe, just maybe I'll get the house cleaned thoroughly before I have to go back to school next Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed because my cleaning has put me behind on laundry.

Abby has been super cranky with the head cold and teething. Last night she screamed non-stop for 2 1/2 hours. I was about to pull my hair out. You gotta feel for her, though. She's experiencing a new sensation (a tooth ripping through her gums) along with the cruddy feeling of a head cold.

Despite her troubles, today she pushed up on her hands and knees a couple of times. Both times were short-lived and she folded backward, but I think in the next month we'll have a crawler. Lord help us!

So, you had a bad day...(or two)

Current mood: annoyed

Happy New Year everyone! Our New Year was so boring and uneventful I'm almost ashamed to even mention it. We stayed home and rented some movies (The Devil Wears Prada, My Super Ex Girlfriend, and The Last Kiss). After the kiddies were fast asleep we watched the first, The Devil Wears Prada. This was a good flick and had us both entertained. When it was over, it was 10:15. We decided "What the heck!" and popped in My Super Ex Girlfriend. In the first 5 minutes we decided that this was a movie that we would both suffer through so we shut it off right then. I suggested getting in bed and watching the New Years Eve stuff on TV. At 11, Stefan dozed off and I rang in the New Year pathetically alone despite my best efforts to wake him.

I made a gross discovery on Monday. The blanket I've been working on for my neighbor was almost complete. I just needed to crochet a few more squares and assemble it. Well, I had to throw it all away because one of my dear mutts decided to get mad at me and pee all over the squares. It's not worth trying to figure out which ones did not get the urine bath. Plus I would be mortified to take the chance and wash it only to give it to her later and have her super-sensitive pregnant nose pick up on the faint odor. No sir! It's trash. So now I must start all over again!

Monday, we took Lexi bowling which she LOVES. The first game I struggled to get back in the grove. I used to carry a 180 average the last time I bowled in a league, but that was almost 3 years ago! I couldn't throw that ball at the same spot twice and got one strike and one spare the entire game. The second game is when I perked up. I opened with a turkey. Stefan decided that we would play for dishes for a week. The whole game I was in the groove. I ended up with a 212. Stefan really had to work hard at the end to catch up and he also got a 212. So I guess the dish situation remains the same as usual. But we are both still sore. I miss bowling. That's how we met. It's how we used to have fun. But when he got switched to second shift, that's were it ended. Maybe one day...

Abby has been having cold symptoms since she cut her first tooth. To a certain degree you can blame it on the tooth, but I started getting worried that this may be another wave of the upper respiratory infection that has been making its rounds around our house as of late. I took her to the doctor this morning and he said it is only a cold - no infection. I had to pay a copay and lug two kids to the doctor's office for that? They probably caught something much worse while they were there than what I was there for. Oh well. Saline drops, PediaCare, Tylenol, and nasal aspirators here we come!