Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Addicted
I am slightly addicted to this thing I have started. Enjoy the "chapters" as they come. I can't keep dedicating my evenings to this addiction so they are about to slow down for sure. But I sure am enjoying my own self created trip down memory lane. :)
Apollo Something
The drive to the movie theater was painfully long. Despite the ever growing presence of Troy and David, they were never able to ride in the car with Jenny. This worried her now because if there was going to be any chance of them sitting near her in the movie, the events leading up to this monumental event would have to be perfectly timed. Her friends, while they knew of her crush did not understand the magnitude of its power. They just assumed they would be sitting together, but Jenny had other plans. She would have to somehow manage to sit down without them but in the presence of Troy and David, but do this in such a way that it seemed completely unplanned. This would be nothing short of impossible.
Walking up to the concession stand with her friends, Jenny heard the approaching steps of Troy and David. Suddenly she felt her arm pinched twice.
"Ow!" She smiled turning to face them, "What was that for?"
"Michigan and Florida."
"Oh!" Jenny grinned, pleased that the boys had remembered the license plate game she had mentioned the previous day.
"In that case," Jenny grinned as she pinched them both, "Kansas." And she pointed to a red jeep in the parking lot.
She was unbelievably proud of herself for managing to be so...cool. She knew she had played that one well. The guys laughed and went to the next line over while Jenny and her friends placed their orders.
As she, Jamie, Penny, and Hannah were walking into the theater, Jamie said, "Let's go to the bathroom." as she led the group in that direction. Jenny was torn. She desperately wanted to check her hair and make-up to make sure she was at her best, but she saw Troy and David approaching. Maybe if she went in alone, and sat down alone, they would sit beside her. This was the best chance she had. It was now or never.
"Um, I'm good. I'll just see you guys in there." She said casually.
The other girls stopped and stared as though she had just committed treason.
"You don't want to go to the bathroom? With us?" Hannah asked with a look of disbelief.
"Um, no, I just went and, um, well, I'll get good seats..." Jenny answered quickly as she saw David and Troy approaching the theater doors.
The other girls, still with looks of confusion on their faces, finally turned to go to the bathroom and Jenny rushed in ahead of Troy and David.
She scoped out the theater. Most of the youth group was sitting in the middle section and she definitely wanted to be in the main group of people. She saw a half empty row behind her brother and his friends. She climbed the steps and sat down about five seats from the end. Troy and David came in next. Jenny took a deep breath. Surely, one would sit by her or near her or something. When Jenny caught Troy's eye, she smiled casually and looked back at the screen. They knew where she was. They clowned their way up the steps, two rows away, one row away, her row. Jenny was breathless.
David paused, saying something to Troy as they looked at her.
The next thing she knew, both of them were racing towards her with huge grins.
"Oklahoma!" Troy pinched her. "We just found it in the parking lot."
This was heaven. They not only liked the game she told them about, but had actually gone back outside to search for an out of state license plate so they could pinch her.
"Oh, sure, cheaters! I am so sure you actually went back out to the parking lot. And if you are cheating, you know I get to pinch you twice!" Jenny quipped hoping to sustain the conversation long enough to get them to sit down.
"Fine, we'll show you when this is over. Cheaters. Can't believe you called us cheaters." David said with a look of pretend shock.
Then it happened. David sat down on her left as casually as though they were by the pool and Troy sat next to him. Jenny felt a moment of victory and then disappointment. Troy was not beside her. It was actually the worst place he could sit because she couldn't even stare at him as the movie played. She would have to spend the next two hours without any Troy interaction. The disappointment was consuming. She wished above all else that she had at least one ounce of the guts it would take to suggest that he sit by her, but she could never, ever do something like that. She consoled herself with the fact that David was by her and that Troy maybe wanted to sit by her but was too shy, or too nervous, or didn't want to leave David, or something.
A few minutes later Jenny's friends came in. They saw her next to David and Troy and all started whispering. She watched as they came up the stairs on the other side. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Jeremy, Jamie's crush, rushed up to the row where Jenny sat and shouted, "Hey, Troy, sit by Jenny so I can sit by you and Jamie."
"Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh." Jenny's heart pounded. "Please move, please move."
Troy stood up, crossed in front of her and sat down slowly, without saying a word. The smell of the shampoo from his still wet hair made Jenny's heart race and she immediately lost her appetite for the Junior Mints already melting in her hot hands. Jeremy and Jamie came loudly down the aisle followed by the rest of her friends. The two girlfriends grinned at each other with unconstrained joy.
It was divine. The entire movie, Apollo 13, was divine. Two boys were sitting by her. Besides a few minor comments on the movie, nothing was said or done for the duration of the film, but that didn't matter. Jenny never expected anything to actually happen. Her daydreams had never gotten past the point of Troy sitting by her. She just wanted to sit by him because for some reason, the act of him sitting by her, meant that her feelings of infatuation might be shared. Troy, and now David, liked her. She just knew it.
On the ride home, after the boys proved they weren't cheaters, the girls were aching to dish every detail of the movie, but Jamie's very strict dad was driving. The silence gave Jenny time to relive the afternoon's events again and again. Slowly, something started to eat at her.
David sat down by her first. And then Troy sat down by him. He only moved when he was asked, or, rather commanded to by Jeremy. And when he did sit, he was quiet and hardly looked at her. What if he didn't like her? What if David really liked her and because Troy was his friend, he just played along? What if Troy was just a good friend putting up with a friend's crush the way Jenny put up with Jeremy? No, no, he had to like her. Jenny replayed every moment with Troy in her mind. He liked to try to dunk her in the pool. He teased her about how she said sandwich. He would sit by her at meals...but maybe that was because it was just an empty seat. Maybe he just liked to dunk her because, well, it was an easy kill. And she did say sandwich weird and everybody teased her about that. What if all the details that Jenny had been gathering up and treasuring as signs of his affection, were nothing short of...nothing? By the time they reached the condo, Jenny knew Troy could not like her. And there was only one more night at the beach. Tomorrow, they were leaving. That thought and her new found realization about Troy was tragic.
Not one to be down for long, Jenny cheered herself up with the thought that the last night of the trip had extra free time scheduled in. Perhaps something of monumental importance could happen then. And if nothing else, two boys, regardless of how it happened, sat by her during the movie. That was enough to make Jenny smile. That was a Scarlet O'hara like victory.
Jenny smiled to herself as she climbed out of the minivan right next to a taurus from New Mexico. She turned around to find Troy or David only to see them running at her. The chase was on. After a hysterical race up the condo stairs, Jenny was pinched twice and knew that the last night in Corpus would be one to remember.
Walking up to the concession stand with her friends, Jenny heard the approaching steps of Troy and David. Suddenly she felt her arm pinched twice.
"Ow!" She smiled turning to face them, "What was that for?"
"Michigan and Florida."
"Oh!" Jenny grinned, pleased that the boys had remembered the license plate game she had mentioned the previous day.
"In that case," Jenny grinned as she pinched them both, "Kansas." And she pointed to a red jeep in the parking lot.
She was unbelievably proud of herself for managing to be so...cool. She knew she had played that one well. The guys laughed and went to the next line over while Jenny and her friends placed their orders.
As she, Jamie, Penny, and Hannah were walking into the theater, Jamie said, "Let's go to the bathroom." as she led the group in that direction. Jenny was torn. She desperately wanted to check her hair and make-up to make sure she was at her best, but she saw Troy and David approaching. Maybe if she went in alone, and sat down alone, they would sit beside her. This was the best chance she had. It was now or never.
"Um, I'm good. I'll just see you guys in there." She said casually.
The other girls stopped and stared as though she had just committed treason.
"You don't want to go to the bathroom? With us?" Hannah asked with a look of disbelief.
"Um, no, I just went and, um, well, I'll get good seats..." Jenny answered quickly as she saw David and Troy approaching the theater doors.
The other girls, still with looks of confusion on their faces, finally turned to go to the bathroom and Jenny rushed in ahead of Troy and David.
She scoped out the theater. Most of the youth group was sitting in the middle section and she definitely wanted to be in the main group of people. She saw a half empty row behind her brother and his friends. She climbed the steps and sat down about five seats from the end. Troy and David came in next. Jenny took a deep breath. Surely, one would sit by her or near her or something. When Jenny caught Troy's eye, she smiled casually and looked back at the screen. They knew where she was. They clowned their way up the steps, two rows away, one row away, her row. Jenny was breathless.
David paused, saying something to Troy as they looked at her.
The next thing she knew, both of them were racing towards her with huge grins.
"Oklahoma!" Troy pinched her. "We just found it in the parking lot."
This was heaven. They not only liked the game she told them about, but had actually gone back outside to search for an out of state license plate so they could pinch her.
"Oh, sure, cheaters! I am so sure you actually went back out to the parking lot. And if you are cheating, you know I get to pinch you twice!" Jenny quipped hoping to sustain the conversation long enough to get them to sit down.
"Fine, we'll show you when this is over. Cheaters. Can't believe you called us cheaters." David said with a look of pretend shock.
Then it happened. David sat down on her left as casually as though they were by the pool and Troy sat next to him. Jenny felt a moment of victory and then disappointment. Troy was not beside her. It was actually the worst place he could sit because she couldn't even stare at him as the movie played. She would have to spend the next two hours without any Troy interaction. The disappointment was consuming. She wished above all else that she had at least one ounce of the guts it would take to suggest that he sit by her, but she could never, ever do something like that. She consoled herself with the fact that David was by her and that Troy maybe wanted to sit by her but was too shy, or too nervous, or didn't want to leave David, or something.
A few minutes later Jenny's friends came in. They saw her next to David and Troy and all started whispering. She watched as they came up the stairs on the other side. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Jeremy, Jamie's crush, rushed up to the row where Jenny sat and shouted, "Hey, Troy, sit by Jenny so I can sit by you and Jamie."
"Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh." Jenny's heart pounded. "Please move, please move."
Troy stood up, crossed in front of her and sat down slowly, without saying a word. The smell of the shampoo from his still wet hair made Jenny's heart race and she immediately lost her appetite for the Junior Mints already melting in her hot hands. Jeremy and Jamie came loudly down the aisle followed by the rest of her friends. The two girlfriends grinned at each other with unconstrained joy.
It was divine. The entire movie, Apollo 13, was divine. Two boys were sitting by her. Besides a few minor comments on the movie, nothing was said or done for the duration of the film, but that didn't matter. Jenny never expected anything to actually happen. Her daydreams had never gotten past the point of Troy sitting by her. She just wanted to sit by him because for some reason, the act of him sitting by her, meant that her feelings of infatuation might be shared. Troy, and now David, liked her. She just knew it.
On the ride home, after the boys proved they weren't cheaters, the girls were aching to dish every detail of the movie, but Jamie's very strict dad was driving. The silence gave Jenny time to relive the afternoon's events again and again. Slowly, something started to eat at her.
David sat down by her first. And then Troy sat down by him. He only moved when he was asked, or, rather commanded to by Jeremy. And when he did sit, he was quiet and hardly looked at her. What if he didn't like her? What if David really liked her and because Troy was his friend, he just played along? What if Troy was just a good friend putting up with a friend's crush the way Jenny put up with Jeremy? No, no, he had to like her. Jenny replayed every moment with Troy in her mind. He liked to try to dunk her in the pool. He teased her about how she said sandwich. He would sit by her at meals...but maybe that was because it was just an empty seat. Maybe he just liked to dunk her because, well, it was an easy kill. And she did say sandwich weird and everybody teased her about that. What if all the details that Jenny had been gathering up and treasuring as signs of his affection, were nothing short of...nothing? By the time they reached the condo, Jenny knew Troy could not like her. And there was only one more night at the beach. Tomorrow, they were leaving. That thought and her new found realization about Troy was tragic.
Not one to be down for long, Jenny cheered herself up with the thought that the last night of the trip had extra free time scheduled in. Perhaps something of monumental importance could happen then. And if nothing else, two boys, regardless of how it happened, sat by her during the movie. That was enough to make Jenny smile. That was a Scarlet O'hara like victory.
Jenny smiled to herself as she climbed out of the minivan right next to a taurus from New Mexico. She turned around to find Troy or David only to see them running at her. The chase was on. After a hysterical race up the condo stairs, Jenny was pinched twice and knew that the last night in Corpus would be one to remember.
Below is the second installment
Since I have time now, I thought I would continue the saga. I will pick up the pace soon because I am going to run out of details. And its gonna get good about two posts from now. :)
Flirting Heaven
"Okay, guys, gather around so you know what car you will be in for the drive to Padre." The youth pastor shouted.
"Please, please, pleeeeaaaase, let me be in a good car." And by good car, Jenny meant one with a boy, and a few friends. Of course, Troy would be the boy of choice, but Jenny did not expect miracles.
"In Mrs. Lofton's van, we have Troy, Matt, David and Matt C."
Despite expecting such an outcome, Jenny was crushed. She could only imagine how glorious 5 hours confined in a minivan with Troy would be.
"Jenny, Penny, Hannah and Tim you are in the English's van."
"Tim! That's the guy we get? Oh, please. Seriously, it might as well be another girl in the car."
Jenny had known Tim forever and while he had hopelessly crushed on about every girl in the church, he was never successful. He was just too much like a brother(or sister) to them all.
"Oh, well, at least I have two friends with me." Jenny sighed as they crammed their stuff into the English's blue van. She watched as Troy and Matt threw their stuff into the Mrs. Lofton's teal green minivan, clowned their way in, and slammed the door shut.
The ride was rather uneventful, just girl talk which had to be closely monitored due to the eavesdropping ears of Tim. Jenny spent most of the trip daydreaming about things she wished would happen on the trip - walks on the beach, keep away in the pool, beating boys at shuffleboard(this was dreaming at its best), and maybe sitting next to Troy at the movie scheduled for Thursday. That last wish was, Jenny knew, never going to happen. Even if miracles occurred and Troy would actually attempt to sit by her, her friends would have already surrounded her on all sides. But still, Jenny dreamed of this impossibility endlessly.
Before long, the youth group caravan arrived at the hotel on the beach and were divided into their condos. Jenny loved who she was with - Jamie, Hannah, Penny and Jessica. All were her friends and all were fantastic. While Hannah, Jessica and Penny had crushes, even if they were secret most of the time, Jamie was never one to keep details of her romantic dreams to herself. Jenny knew they would be giggling and whispering into the night about boys despite the frustration of the others. She just hoped some of the whispering would be about her and Troy.
As most youth group trips go, there were events planned for every minute of the day - bible studies, worship time, beach time, pool time, trips to putt - putt, meal time, competitions, game time, and free time. And as each hour passed Jenny, despite trying her hardest to not get excited, couldn't help but get excited about how much time she and Troy were spending together. If she and Jamie were playing shuffleboard, he and a friend would join in. If the guys were playing keep away in the pool and she tried to join in, it was Troy that she would always "cover." When they went to the beach, they were often shell searching together. And no matter what, every time he was around her, her heart raced, her stomach was in knots, and she was smiling and laughing. She loved to be with him. She felt beautiful and funny and perfect when with him. It was becoming obvious that perhaps, just maybe, in a teeny tiny way, he liked her too.
There was just one problem. David. David was another guy on the trip, older, dark haired, nice, funny and equally attentive to Jenny. Jenny had never really paid much attention to him because she didn't think it was a possibility. He was more her brother's friend, than her potential boyfriend. But, in Corpus, he was with her almost as much as Troy. Her friends teased her endlessly about having two guys "in love" with her. She would just giggle and say, "oh, please, they're just being nice." but deep down, she loved the attention. Loved it, searching it out, finding Troy and David whenever possible and then giggling her way through whatever they were doing. And surprisingly, the boys didn't seem to mind her constant presence. Jenny, always terrified that she was annoying someone or was an unwanted presence to most, would pay close attention to the way they would act when they saw her coming. It was clear her presence was welcome.
Two boys liked her. Maybe they didn't "like" her but they liked her enough to fulfill her expectation that Corpus was going to be pure flirting heaven. Now, Jenny had a completely new and totally unexpected dilemma to consume her thoughts. If both boys did indeed like her, really like like her, then who would it be? Who did she really like? She didn't let it worry her too much because she really didn't think they liked her in that way, but just enjoyed being around her. Besides, who has time to worry about such things when flirting the days away on a beach? She would just enjoy the trip and hope for the best...especially at the movie on Thursday. Maybe, just maybe...
"Please, please, pleeeeaaaase, let me be in a good car." And by good car, Jenny meant one with a boy, and a few friends. Of course, Troy would be the boy of choice, but Jenny did not expect miracles.
"In Mrs. Lofton's van, we have Troy, Matt, David and Matt C."
Despite expecting such an outcome, Jenny was crushed. She could only imagine how glorious 5 hours confined in a minivan with Troy would be.
"Jenny, Penny, Hannah and Tim you are in the English's van."
"Tim! That's the guy we get? Oh, please. Seriously, it might as well be another girl in the car."
Jenny had known Tim forever and while he had hopelessly crushed on about every girl in the church, he was never successful. He was just too much like a brother(or sister) to them all.
"Oh, well, at least I have two friends with me." Jenny sighed as they crammed their stuff into the English's blue van. She watched as Troy and Matt threw their stuff into the Mrs. Lofton's teal green minivan, clowned their way in, and slammed the door shut.
The ride was rather uneventful, just girl talk which had to be closely monitored due to the eavesdropping ears of Tim. Jenny spent most of the trip daydreaming about things she wished would happen on the trip - walks on the beach, keep away in the pool, beating boys at shuffleboard(this was dreaming at its best), and maybe sitting next to Troy at the movie scheduled for Thursday. That last wish was, Jenny knew, never going to happen. Even if miracles occurred and Troy would actually attempt to sit by her, her friends would have already surrounded her on all sides. But still, Jenny dreamed of this impossibility endlessly.
Before long, the youth group caravan arrived at the hotel on the beach and were divided into their condos. Jenny loved who she was with - Jamie, Hannah, Penny and Jessica. All were her friends and all were fantastic. While Hannah, Jessica and Penny had crushes, even if they were secret most of the time, Jamie was never one to keep details of her romantic dreams to herself. Jenny knew they would be giggling and whispering into the night about boys despite the frustration of the others. She just hoped some of the whispering would be about her and Troy.
As most youth group trips go, there were events planned for every minute of the day - bible studies, worship time, beach time, pool time, trips to putt - putt, meal time, competitions, game time, and free time. And as each hour passed Jenny, despite trying her hardest to not get excited, couldn't help but get excited about how much time she and Troy were spending together. If she and Jamie were playing shuffleboard, he and a friend would join in. If the guys were playing keep away in the pool and she tried to join in, it was Troy that she would always "cover." When they went to the beach, they were often shell searching together. And no matter what, every time he was around her, her heart raced, her stomach was in knots, and she was smiling and laughing. She loved to be with him. She felt beautiful and funny and perfect when with him. It was becoming obvious that perhaps, just maybe, in a teeny tiny way, he liked her too.
There was just one problem. David. David was another guy on the trip, older, dark haired, nice, funny and equally attentive to Jenny. Jenny had never really paid much attention to him because she didn't think it was a possibility. He was more her brother's friend, than her potential boyfriend. But, in Corpus, he was with her almost as much as Troy. Her friends teased her endlessly about having two guys "in love" with her. She would just giggle and say, "oh, please, they're just being nice." but deep down, she loved the attention. Loved it, searching it out, finding Troy and David whenever possible and then giggling her way through whatever they were doing. And surprisingly, the boys didn't seem to mind her constant presence. Jenny, always terrified that she was annoying someone or was an unwanted presence to most, would pay close attention to the way they would act when they saw her coming. It was clear her presence was welcome.
Two boys liked her. Maybe they didn't "like" her but they liked her enough to fulfill her expectation that Corpus was going to be pure flirting heaven. Now, Jenny had a completely new and totally unexpected dilemma to consume her thoughts. If both boys did indeed like her, really like like her, then who would it be? Who did she really like? She didn't let it worry her too much because she really didn't think they liked her in that way, but just enjoyed being around her. Besides, who has time to worry about such things when flirting the days away on a beach? She would just enjoy the trip and hope for the best...especially at the movie on Thursday. Maybe, just maybe...
Monday, July 30, 2007
I guess it will stay and other randomness
Due to the possibly life threatening comments :) that some of you have left, the posts will stay and I will do my best to continue. This should be interesting. I just know that working full time with a husband at a new job, a four year old and a newborn will certainly give me plenty of time to detail 12 years of courtship. But, I shall do my best because I think it will be fun for me...and hopefully for you.
Just one more completely unrelated and totally random thing that I feel the need to share.
I hate how every time I clean my house I get the worst case of the "I wants" in the world. I want new curtains, I want a new endtable, I want new floors, I want a maid... Geez. I have a pretty decent house here. Money doesn't grow on trees.
Be happy with what you have or you'll never he happy with what you want.
My sister told me that before I got married. Wise words. Very wise words.
I am thankful to at least have windows. I am thankful to have matching couches for the unmatching endtable to sit beside. I am thankful that I have grayish blue carpet not like orange or something. And I am thankful that I am an able bodied human being that can clean my house.
Okay, sorry for that, but I have just really been struggling with this "my house is so unsatisfactory and dirty and cluttery and ugly" thing here lately even when I know its not really that bad and I needed to let it out.
Blogs - free therapy.
Just one more completely unrelated and totally random thing that I feel the need to share.
I hate how every time I clean my house I get the worst case of the "I wants" in the world. I want new curtains, I want a new endtable, I want new floors, I want a maid... Geez. I have a pretty decent house here. Money doesn't grow on trees.
Be happy with what you have or you'll never he happy with what you want.
My sister told me that before I got married. Wise words. Very wise words.
I am thankful to at least have windows. I am thankful to have matching couches for the unmatching endtable to sit beside. I am thankful that I have grayish blue carpet not like orange or something. And I am thankful that I am an able bodied human being that can clean my house.
Okay, sorry for that, but I have just really been struggling with this "my house is so unsatisfactory and dirty and cluttery and ugly" thing here lately even when I know its not really that bad and I needed to let it out.
Blogs - free therapy.
Blog remorse
I feel so very tempted to remove the last two posts. The first because it is cheesy. The second because it tells you what is coming in the first. But I will keep them up until the morning after I read them again. Things look better in the morning. But sometimes they look way worse. Eek. I should just delete the things.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
The beginning
Jenny had never had a boyfriend. Many, many crushes but never a boyfriend. Honestly, she wasn't even certain that she was allowed to have a boyfriend. That discussion had not yet taken place with her parents. Besides, what would a boyfriend really mean to a 13 year old who was homeschooled? Nothing more than a title really. Of course, Jenny did not envision boyfriend/girlfriendhood in these terms. To her 13 year old mind having a boyfriend meant a multitude of things - Dates, holding hands, phone calls, someone to hang out with at youth group, and, though she would never have said this aloud, an important first among her friends. None of them had ever had a boyfriend either and to have a boyfriend before any of them would be simply fantastic. But she would never let her friends know for a second that she would be proud of such an accomplishment.
Unfortunately, simply dreaming of a boyfriend did not get one. Flirting, Jenny had discovered, was an art to be mastered. Flirting worked. She saw the success of its powers as many a girl giggled their way into the affections of her older brother Josh. Her flirting guide was Gone with the Wind. Scarlet O'hara emobodied the confidence Jenny dreamed of having. She would never admit to a soul that she actually admired any part of this selfish, conniving fictitious character...but she did. And Jenny picked up a few things from this civil war belle. In short, giggling, flattery, and being a "lady", were the keys to success. Shy girls did not get the guy, at least not the right ones. And Jenny had her eyes set on the right guy, for sure.
Troy, 14, was a public schooler, tall, blonde and had an easy smile that made Jenny giggle whenever in his presence. And while his looks were definitely an appealing point, his personality was the clincher. Everyone loved him. Girls flocked towards him, all the guys were his friend. He was in every meaning of the word popular, but did not think it for a moment. He was just himself. This attribute was particularly appealing to Jenny. There was something in her that, even when trying to perfect the flirting, could not help but be herself around him. His easy smile and the way he would look at her somehow made her feel like he still liked her, the real Jenny that would sneak out despite her best efforts.
Of course, Jenny, would never in her wildest dreams imagine for a second that he actually did like her, for real. That would be impossible. She was shy, dorky, silly, and so...so...boring. Simple, really. And Troy was everything but that. He was, in her eyes, perfect. Perfect. Her diary was filled with all the perfect details of the things he wore or did or said to her on her favorite day of the week, Sunday, the only day of the week she saw him. They were certainly holy days, those Sundays.
Then it happened. Four days of Sundays. The annual youth group trip to Corpus Christi. It would be pure joy. Four days, on the beach, with Troy. It was going to be heaven, pure flirting heaven.
Unfortunately, simply dreaming of a boyfriend did not get one. Flirting, Jenny had discovered, was an art to be mastered. Flirting worked. She saw the success of its powers as many a girl giggled their way into the affections of her older brother Josh. Her flirting guide was Gone with the Wind. Scarlet O'hara emobodied the confidence Jenny dreamed of having. She would never admit to a soul that she actually admired any part of this selfish, conniving fictitious character...but she did. And Jenny picked up a few things from this civil war belle. In short, giggling, flattery, and being a "lady", were the keys to success. Shy girls did not get the guy, at least not the right ones. And Jenny had her eyes set on the right guy, for sure.
Troy, 14, was a public schooler, tall, blonde and had an easy smile that made Jenny giggle whenever in his presence. And while his looks were definitely an appealing point, his personality was the clincher. Everyone loved him. Girls flocked towards him, all the guys were his friend. He was in every meaning of the word popular, but did not think it for a moment. He was just himself. This attribute was particularly appealing to Jenny. There was something in her that, even when trying to perfect the flirting, could not help but be herself around him. His easy smile and the way he would look at her somehow made her feel like he still liked her, the real Jenny that would sneak out despite her best efforts.
Of course, Jenny, would never in her wildest dreams imagine for a second that he actually did like her, for real. That would be impossible. She was shy, dorky, silly, and so...so...boring. Simple, really. And Troy was everything but that. He was, in her eyes, perfect. Perfect. Her diary was filled with all the perfect details of the things he wore or did or said to her on her favorite day of the week, Sunday, the only day of the week she saw him. They were certainly holy days, those Sundays.
Then it happened. Four days of Sundays. The annual youth group trip to Corpus Christi. It would be pure joy. Four days, on the beach, with Troy. It was going to be heaven, pure flirting heaven.
An idea
So, as I mentioned in my post about surviving the wedding, I said that it was my anniversary. It's today actually. Seven years. I can't believe that. A part of me feels like we have been married forever(in a good way!) while another part of me really feels like yesterday we were highschoolers freshly in love. So it started me thinking. Over the last 12 years, Troy and I have had some pretty great moments. Out of the movies, great. Great kisses. Great letters. Great firsts. Great tears. Simple, but great. So maybe I should write about them. As kind of a reminder to me the kind of giddy, flushed love we had at 13 and how it has changed into this grown up yet still silly love of a married couple who has seen some of the things life can throw at them.
So here is my goal. I am going to capture, or attempt to capture, one of these moments each week on my blog.You poor readers are just at my mercy to the sappiness that will unfold here. This is one of those things that is much more for me and maybe for troy(if he doesn't gag at the sap), and I understand that for you it may be boring and ridiculously cheesy. Regardless, this is my blog, my journal, so you are at my mercy. You have free will. You can just ignore these posts. It is your decision.
Oh, one more thing. I am going to write them, or attempt to write theses moments as though they are plucked from a novel, written not from my point of view, but as though we are characters in a book. I know. The cheesy factor might reach an all time high. But, like I said it's your decision to read the cheesiness that appears here. But who knows? Maybe they'll be really good, I'll compile them into a book and boom - ny times best seller and I get to stay at home. :)
Hey, I am allowed to dream, people.
Enjoy the sap or not. The choice is yours. Knowing me and my level of commitment to most of my endeavors this will last two weeks and you will be spared.
So here is my goal. I am going to capture, or attempt to capture, one of these moments each week on my blog.You poor readers are just at my mercy to the sappiness that will unfold here. This is one of those things that is much more for me and maybe for troy(if he doesn't gag at the sap), and I understand that for you it may be boring and ridiculously cheesy. Regardless, this is my blog, my journal, so you are at my mercy. You have free will. You can just ignore these posts. It is your decision.
Oh, one more thing. I am going to write them, or attempt to write theses moments as though they are plucked from a novel, written not from my point of view, but as though we are characters in a book. I know. The cheesy factor might reach an all time high. But, like I said it's your decision to read the cheesiness that appears here. But who knows? Maybe they'll be really good, I'll compile them into a book and boom - ny times best seller and I get to stay at home. :)
Hey, I am allowed to dream, people.
Enjoy the sap or not. The choice is yours. Knowing me and my level of commitment to most of my endeavors this will last two weeks and you will be spared.
A reminder for me
So, I was typing a response to Seph's post, when I realized it would take like three pages. You all know how I am with being brief. Anyway, since I had wanted to post these thoughts anyway, but just never did, I thought I would now. Sort of as a comment for seph, sort of as a reminder to me.
Oh, and I might ruin a part of the movie Evan Almighty so readers beware.
So, the other day we saw Evan Almighty which was surprisingly good and brought up some pretty decent things that I think we forget when we think of God. I know this isn't the deepest source for revelations on Christian faith, but when something speaks to you, it just does.
In one of the scenes, Evan is speaking to Morgan Freeman, who plays God. They are talking about God wanting Evan to make an ark. Evan starts saying something like, "An ark? I can't do that - it's too hard, I have plans with my family, plans for work. I have my own plans and things." About halfway through his objections, God starts laughing.(Don't you know God laughs at us all the time!) And when Evan finishes He says, "Your plans..." with a grin and shakes his head.
How many times have I done that? "This is how it will work. This is my plan. I can't do that God because this is the way it should be." And then God's plan is totally different. and way better. It got me thinking about some of the things I had planned or wanted or whatever and how God had different plans.
THis part of the post is called "If it had been my way..."
I would be teaching elementary.
I would not have had Mason when we did.
I never would have truly appreciated the presence of my husband the way I do since we came so close to him being sent to Iraq.
I would be living in a tiny 2 bedroom, 1 bath house that we didn't get.
Troy would have gotten that first Job in Richland Hills back in May because I was impatient
I would have been pregnant earlier and giving birth to this baby in April because that was the "plan."
I would never have realized that teaching middle schoolers could actually be my calling.
Those are just a few, but it just goes to show that God's planning, timing, everything, is better than ours.
Another scene that just opened my eyes and reminded me how simple prayer can sometimes be was near the end. Once evan builds the ark, and the flood comes, all these people and animals are on this huge boat rushing down floodwaters heading straight to a big bridge. Evan prays things like "Part the waters." His solution to this problem. After a couple of requests nothing happens. Finally he just says, "I need help!" Immediately a huge wave forms that turns the ark around.
God knows how to help us. He doesn't need us to tell him how. We are so limited in our thinking that we can't imagine how he perfectly he can help us. Telling God what I want or asking for specific things is fine and like any father or friend, knowing what I am thinking, listening as I pour my heart out to him is what he wants even though he already knows the desires of my heart. But maybe every once in a while I should just say, "I need help." and leave it at that. He knows it.
This part of my post is called "His help was way better than my suggestion."
My suggestion: Don't send Troy to Iraq.
Troy was not deployed, but was instead able to take a semester off from school without consequence, still recieved a financial aid check, and was able to be at home with Mason and I a lot more than he would have. We had to live at my mom's during that first month of Mason's life making the adjustment into motherhood so much easier. My doctor and nurses in Austin were fantastic. I appreciated everything so much more.
My suggestion: I really need a job.
I needed a job and badly. I applied and interviewed everywhere. Then I got a great paying job. I hated the job. I got laid off...with pay...then got hired as a teacher...a job I love...that I appreciate because I have had a job that was horrid even if it was the "big bucks."
My suggestion: Please let us get the house!
There was an adorable cottage house in santa rita that was in our price range. Someone else put in a contract before us so we didn't get the house. We didn't like any houses after that one so we stopped looking. Because of this we got a rent house that was big enough for my sister to move in with us and we ended up finding this house a year later that is so much better for us.
My suggestion: Please let the sonogram work!
If I had found out what the baby was at my first or second sonogram, I would have gone crazy wanting to paint and buy and decorate but couldn't or at least shouldn't have because at that time we didn't know if we were staying or going. Troy got hired on a Thursday, I had the successful sonogram on the Friday. Coincidence? I think not.
Of course there are a thousand things like that, big and small. I don't think it was bad of me to pray for the specific things I did, but in all of those situations his plans were so much better than my suggestion.
There is great peace in knowing that when the world is seemingly crashing down around me and I don't know what to do, I can just say, "I need your help." and there He will be.
Okay, so this turned into a post much more as a reminder to me than a comment for Seph's post, but I need these things written down...so I can come back to it the next time I am freaking out...which will be in about one month after teaching smelly sixth graders while 8 months pregnant trying to figure out how to plan lesson plans for a sub for 12 weeks when I don't write lesson plans for me until the day before.
I need Your help!
Oh, and I might ruin a part of the movie Evan Almighty so readers beware.
So, the other day we saw Evan Almighty which was surprisingly good and brought up some pretty decent things that I think we forget when we think of God. I know this isn't the deepest source for revelations on Christian faith, but when something speaks to you, it just does.
In one of the scenes, Evan is speaking to Morgan Freeman, who plays God. They are talking about God wanting Evan to make an ark. Evan starts saying something like, "An ark? I can't do that - it's too hard, I have plans with my family, plans for work. I have my own plans and things." About halfway through his objections, God starts laughing.(Don't you know God laughs at us all the time!) And when Evan finishes He says, "Your plans..." with a grin and shakes his head.
How many times have I done that? "This is how it will work. This is my plan. I can't do that God because this is the way it should be." And then God's plan is totally different. and way better. It got me thinking about some of the things I had planned or wanted or whatever and how God had different plans.
THis part of the post is called "If it had been my way..."
I would be teaching elementary.
I would not have had Mason when we did.
I never would have truly appreciated the presence of my husband the way I do since we came so close to him being sent to Iraq.
I would be living in a tiny 2 bedroom, 1 bath house that we didn't get.
Troy would have gotten that first Job in Richland Hills back in May because I was impatient
I would have been pregnant earlier and giving birth to this baby in April because that was the "plan."
I would never have realized that teaching middle schoolers could actually be my calling.
Those are just a few, but it just goes to show that God's planning, timing, everything, is better than ours.
Another scene that just opened my eyes and reminded me how simple prayer can sometimes be was near the end. Once evan builds the ark, and the flood comes, all these people and animals are on this huge boat rushing down floodwaters heading straight to a big bridge. Evan prays things like "Part the waters." His solution to this problem. After a couple of requests nothing happens. Finally he just says, "I need help!" Immediately a huge wave forms that turns the ark around.
God knows how to help us. He doesn't need us to tell him how. We are so limited in our thinking that we can't imagine how he perfectly he can help us. Telling God what I want or asking for specific things is fine and like any father or friend, knowing what I am thinking, listening as I pour my heart out to him is what he wants even though he already knows the desires of my heart. But maybe every once in a while I should just say, "I need help." and leave it at that. He knows it.
This part of my post is called "His help was way better than my suggestion."
My suggestion: Don't send Troy to Iraq.
Troy was not deployed, but was instead able to take a semester off from school without consequence, still recieved a financial aid check, and was able to be at home with Mason and I a lot more than he would have. We had to live at my mom's during that first month of Mason's life making the adjustment into motherhood so much easier. My doctor and nurses in Austin were fantastic. I appreciated everything so much more.
My suggestion: I really need a job.
I needed a job and badly. I applied and interviewed everywhere. Then I got a great paying job. I hated the job. I got laid off...with pay...then got hired as a teacher...a job I love...that I appreciate because I have had a job that was horrid even if it was the "big bucks."
My suggestion: Please let us get the house!
There was an adorable cottage house in santa rita that was in our price range. Someone else put in a contract before us so we didn't get the house. We didn't like any houses after that one so we stopped looking. Because of this we got a rent house that was big enough for my sister to move in with us and we ended up finding this house a year later that is so much better for us.
My suggestion: Please let the sonogram work!
If I had found out what the baby was at my first or second sonogram, I would have gone crazy wanting to paint and buy and decorate but couldn't or at least shouldn't have because at that time we didn't know if we were staying or going. Troy got hired on a Thursday, I had the successful sonogram on the Friday. Coincidence? I think not.
Of course there are a thousand things like that, big and small. I don't think it was bad of me to pray for the specific things I did, but in all of those situations his plans were so much better than my suggestion.
There is great peace in knowing that when the world is seemingly crashing down around me and I don't know what to do, I can just say, "I need your help." and there He will be.
Okay, so this turned into a post much more as a reminder to me than a comment for Seph's post, but I need these things written down...so I can come back to it the next time I am freaking out...which will be in about one month after teaching smelly sixth graders while 8 months pregnant trying to figure out how to plan lesson plans for a sub for 12 weeks when I don't write lesson plans for me until the day before.
I need Your help!
I survived
But barely. The wedding is over and done and the pictures are not terrible. I did one quick look through them just to ease my fears that they were all blurry or something. They weren't. There were some that were but I had others, for the most part. I hope they are happy. I had a big list of pictures and the order to take them in but things were pretty rushed so I didn't get to take near as many as I wanted. But, hopefully they will be happy.
When I got home, Troy's mom was here which was a big surprise. Troy purposefully didn't tell me she was coming so I wouldn't be stressed about cleaning. That was perfect, because, of course, she doesn't care about the house being perfect but I would have felt like I should have cleaned. Troy said that he was scared that added stress before the wedding would "break my seal" which it would have. So, anyway she was here and Mason has had tons of fun playing with her. She also baby sat for us last night so that we could have a date for our anniversary. It was so nice to do something relaxing after the wedding and I was just glad to get to sit down for the rest of the day.
So, the wedding is over. I don't know if I want to do a wedding again. It was just so scary and I was terrified going through the pictures at the end of the day. I mean what if they had all been bad? I love, love, love doing portraits - like bridals, engagements, graduation, family pictures, etc, but weddings, I don't know. I guess it will get easier each time. We'll see. I am just glad it is over.
When I got home, Troy's mom was here which was a big surprise. Troy purposefully didn't tell me she was coming so I wouldn't be stressed about cleaning. That was perfect, because, of course, she doesn't care about the house being perfect but I would have felt like I should have cleaned. Troy said that he was scared that added stress before the wedding would "break my seal" which it would have. So, anyway she was here and Mason has had tons of fun playing with her. She also baby sat for us last night so that we could have a date for our anniversary. It was so nice to do something relaxing after the wedding and I was just glad to get to sit down for the rest of the day.
So, the wedding is over. I don't know if I want to do a wedding again. It was just so scary and I was terrified going through the pictures at the end of the day. I mean what if they had all been bad? I love, love, love doing portraits - like bridals, engagements, graduation, family pictures, etc, but weddings, I don't know. I guess it will get easier each time. We'll see. I am just glad it is over.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Clumsiness has reached a whole new level.
I have been getting progressively clumsier with each passing day. I drop things, bump into things, spill stuff, etc. I am going to blame it on the pregnancy. Well, today, the clumsiness reached a whole new level.
I flushed my cell phone down the toilet.
Yep, that's what I said. Plop, flush, gone. No more cell phone.
I called my mom and she said she was going to call me back in a little while. I told her to call me on my cell. Well, then, the constant urge to pee arose so off I went. I took my phone with me just in case she called me back. Well, when I stood up, I put my phone in my mouth so I could flush and as I turned around the phone slipped from my mouth, and plopped right into the water as it went swishing down. I did try to catch it as it was falling which I am sure was a hilarious sight. After the phone had vanished from sight, I just stood there for a second wondering if that had really just happened. When I realized my phone was indeed now surfing the sewer system, I knew I had to tell my husband. Yeah, that's a fun conversation.
Um, honey, I just flushed my cell phone down the toilet.
What? Like gone? Can you see it?
No, it's gone.
I don't think that is how he wanted to start his day, but overal he was pretty calm about it. I don't think it really even surprised him that much. That should tell you how clumsy I have gotten. Fortunately the toilet is still working but I am without a cell phone.
So, if you are trying to reach me, don't call my cell phone. Unless you want a Ninja Turtle to answer.
I flushed my cell phone down the toilet.
Yep, that's what I said. Plop, flush, gone. No more cell phone.
I called my mom and she said she was going to call me back in a little while. I told her to call me on my cell. Well, then, the constant urge to pee arose so off I went. I took my phone with me just in case she called me back. Well, when I stood up, I put my phone in my mouth so I could flush and as I turned around the phone slipped from my mouth, and plopped right into the water as it went swishing down. I did try to catch it as it was falling which I am sure was a hilarious sight. After the phone had vanished from sight, I just stood there for a second wondering if that had really just happened. When I realized my phone was indeed now surfing the sewer system, I knew I had to tell my husband. Yeah, that's a fun conversation.
Um, honey, I just flushed my cell phone down the toilet.
What? Like gone? Can you see it?
No, it's gone.
I don't think that is how he wanted to start his day, but overal he was pretty calm about it. I don't think it really even surprised him that much. That should tell you how clumsy I have gotten. Fortunately the toilet is still working but I am without a cell phone.
So, if you are trying to reach me, don't call my cell phone. Unless you want a Ninja Turtle to answer.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The nursery is beginning...
I got the bedding in and loved it! It will be perfect! So now I feel like I can really start putting the nursery together. I want to have big parts done before school starts back up. So, I have my nursery envelope with my alotted amount of spending money, I have all these ideas jumping around my head, and I can't wait to get started! The big things I still need are a rocking chair (I have been back three times to look at the e glider and just don't think it is "the one") and a dresser. My mom has a dresser that can work for sure and I might just use that unless I get lucky and find one at a garage sale or something. I just don't know how we will get her dresser here...
Of course, I am a little irritated that I have to take it easy because the non pregnant version of Jenny would just work forever without a break to get it done, but that isn't gonna happen. I guess Troy will just have to work without break. =)
I will try to remember to take before and after pics and you will be continously updated on details I am sure will be of no interest to you. :)
Of course, I am a little irritated that I have to take it easy because the non pregnant version of Jenny would just work forever without a break to get it done, but that isn't gonna happen. I guess Troy will just have to work without break. =)
I will try to remember to take before and after pics and you will be continously updated on details I am sure will be of no interest to you. :)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Mason chats
Yesterday, out of nowhere Mason started taking our orders like we were at a restaurant. Troy ordered something like tacos and guacamole and a dr. pepper. Then it was my turn.
"What would you like?"
"Um, I will have an order of egg rolls and - "
"We don't have those, Ma'am."
Apparently we were at a mexican food restaurant and I was forced to ordered Enchiladas.
****
After putting Mason to bed yesterday, I was doing laundry(I know! I was proud of myself too!) and Mason comes in with this really annoying noise making toy.
"Mason, you should be in bed." I say with an irritated, impatient tone.
Shoving the toy into my face, he exclaims, "THIS is how it makes that noise!" pointing to the end.
"Oh. Okay, you need to go to bed." I replied barely stopping to look(It was like 10 o'clock people and he was supposed to be in bed!)
Mason turns to leave, looking somewhat defeated as he mumbles, "You missed the point, mom."
What is he? Like 12? Where did he learn how to use that phrase and correctly. It was just so stinkin' cute.
Yesterday(apparently it was a funny day for Mason), he about had a meltdown when he had to go to bed immediately after seeing four Geckos on the window screen. He is quite the critter catcher. We told him that we would look for them in the morning to which he adamantly and quite passionately said, "But Geckos don't come out in the SUN!"
Well, this morning, as Troy was loading him into the car, he looks at troy, one eyebrow raised, and says, "So...did you see any geckos this morning?"
"Um, no. " replies Troy.
"Uh-huh." mason nods and just climbs into the car.
***
Okay, sorry, i just have to add these. At Mason's 4 year check up (three months late...oops), we had to ask him some pretty random questions.
What is a cup used for?
For to go bowling with. (he uses upside down cups as pins)
What is a curtain?
For to wipe off your hands. (that explains a lot)
You just never know what will come out of their mouths...
"What would you like?"
"Um, I will have an order of egg rolls and - "
"We don't have those, Ma'am."
Apparently we were at a mexican food restaurant and I was forced to ordered Enchiladas.
****
After putting Mason to bed yesterday, I was doing laundry(I know! I was proud of myself too!) and Mason comes in with this really annoying noise making toy.
"Mason, you should be in bed." I say with an irritated, impatient tone.
Shoving the toy into my face, he exclaims, "THIS is how it makes that noise!" pointing to the end.
"Oh. Okay, you need to go to bed." I replied barely stopping to look(It was like 10 o'clock people and he was supposed to be in bed!)
Mason turns to leave, looking somewhat defeated as he mumbles, "You missed the point, mom."
What is he? Like 12? Where did he learn how to use that phrase and correctly. It was just so stinkin' cute.
Yesterday(apparently it was a funny day for Mason), he about had a meltdown when he had to go to bed immediately after seeing four Geckos on the window screen. He is quite the critter catcher. We told him that we would look for them in the morning to which he adamantly and quite passionately said, "But Geckos don't come out in the SUN!"
Well, this morning, as Troy was loading him into the car, he looks at troy, one eyebrow raised, and says, "So...did you see any geckos this morning?"
"Um, no. " replies Troy.
"Uh-huh." mason nods and just climbs into the car.
***
Okay, sorry, i just have to add these. At Mason's 4 year check up (three months late...oops), we had to ask him some pretty random questions.
What is a cup used for?
For to go bowling with. (he uses upside down cups as pins)
What is a curtain?
For to wipe off your hands. (that explains a lot)
You just never know what will come out of their mouths...
Sunday, July 22, 2007
oh, dear!
I bought two half gallons of ice cream today. I ate a bowl after dinner. I want another one so very badly.
Be Strong.
I am so very weak. Sooo sooo very weak....
Oh, dear.
Be Strong.
I am so very weak. Sooo sooo very weak....
Oh, dear.
So very terrified!!!
I am the photographer for a wedding on Saturday.
I am terrified. TERRIFIED. Every time I think about it I get like nauseous nervous. I am so terrified that I will look so unprofessional, and won't know how to tell people where to stand and how to get their attention and come up with poses. I bought a new memory card that will hold 1000 pictures or more so I am just going to not stop taking pictures. Surely, surely, if I take hundreds and hundreds of pictures some will be good, right?
Oh, good gosh. Why did I ever say yes? I don't know anything about lighting or well, anything.
Breathe, it will all be fine. It will all be fine.
Terrifed I tell you. Terrified.
On a happier note, if I don't completely screw this up and ruin this woman's special day and I try to actually do this or similar again, I was thinking about using this "name" for my "business" -
Sprinkle of Grace Photography.
I wrote a blog a while back about how I needed just a sprinkle of grace from God to get through some financial issues. I thought it was kind of fitting. Do you think that is cheesy?
It probably won't matter.
Terrified. Terrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiifffffffffffiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeed.....
I am terrified. TERRIFIED. Every time I think about it I get like nauseous nervous. I am so terrified that I will look so unprofessional, and won't know how to tell people where to stand and how to get their attention and come up with poses. I bought a new memory card that will hold 1000 pictures or more so I am just going to not stop taking pictures. Surely, surely, if I take hundreds and hundreds of pictures some will be good, right?
Oh, good gosh. Why did I ever say yes? I don't know anything about lighting or well, anything.
Breathe, it will all be fine. It will all be fine.
Terrifed I tell you. Terrified.
On a happier note, if I don't completely screw this up and ruin this woman's special day and I try to actually do this or similar again, I was thinking about using this "name" for my "business" -
Sprinkle of Grace Photography.
I wrote a blog a while back about how I needed just a sprinkle of grace from God to get through some financial issues. I thought it was kind of fitting. Do you think that is cheesy?
It probably won't matter.
Terrified. Terrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiifffffffffffiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeed.....
Friday, July 20, 2007
Learned something new today
I might just be slow but I thought I would share this anyway.
I really wanted this nursery bedding from Pottery Barn that was on clearance. Well, it was sold out on line and Ebay only had big sets that were still too expensive.
So I called a store in Austin just to see if maybe they had it in. Well, guess what? they did! AND the two pieces I wanted, bumper and quilt, were even cheaper there than they were online. AND they will ship them to me (which yes did add 11 bucks but it was still cheaper) and so now I finally know what some part of they nursery will look like.
So, if any of you bargain shoppers are desperate for something at a store, don't assume that because it is sold out online, it is sold out in the stores.
I am just slow, right? You all knew that. Whatever. I am still way excited.
Oh, and yesterday I found a changing table at a resale store that, with a fresh coat of paint and baskets on the shelves, will be oh, so cute! I haven't made a decision on the glider yet. I took Troy down there today and he wasn't overly impressed with the chair. I just don't know what to do. I went to penney's and they didn't have replacement cushions in store, online or in the catalogue, and I have scoured other online resources with no luck, so it appears that my only option will be to sew them which I think I can do...oh, well, we'll see.
Here is a picture of the bedding: Okay so, it's above. I can't figure out how to move the darn picture. Anyway, I know it is kind of simple, but I didn't really want a theme this time for some reason. I wanted something fun and colorful that I could add to easily and would lend itself to painting the nursery some fun color like a fun green or something. Anyway, let's just pray that when the stuff arrives, I like it.
Yippee!!! I am excited!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Quick Question
I saw a white glider rocker thing at Christians in Action today. It was only 40 bucks and I almost bought it BUT the cushions were really worn out. Does anyone know how hard it is to sew cushions or buy cushions for a glider? I didn't want to buy the thing and then spend a hundred more dollars trying to fix it when I could have just bought a new one, you know? The frame itself seemed to be in pretty good condition. It supported me...and was pretty comfy. What to do, what to do...
Poll and Doctor update
I just wanted to see how the poll thing worked. Pretty cool, huh? Maybe I will put name choices up there soon...
So, I went to the doctor and nothing has changed. The baby's head is still low but nothing has started progressing so it looks like we are good. I do have to start going to the doctor every 2 weeks just to be safe and obviously, I have to continue taking it easy. It will be such a burden to not vacuum or mop for 12 weeks. Poor poor me. :)
Anyway, I am feeling better about things. I feel like my doctor feels like everything is okay so yeah! If we can just keep this little guy happy for as long as possible, all will be good.
Thanks for the prayers and words of encouragement.
I guess all of you who voted for 500 words or less won....
So, I went to the doctor and nothing has changed. The baby's head is still low but nothing has started progressing so it looks like we are good. I do have to start going to the doctor every 2 weeks just to be safe and obviously, I have to continue taking it easy. It will be such a burden to not vacuum or mop for 12 weeks. Poor poor me. :)
Anyway, I am feeling better about things. I feel like my doctor feels like everything is okay so yeah! If we can just keep this little guy happy for as long as possible, all will be good.
Thanks for the prayers and words of encouragement.
I guess all of you who voted for 500 words or less won....
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
By the way...
that last post does not count.
Nor does this one.
Just wanted to be clear.
Now, go and vote. It's the patriotic thing to do.
Nor does this one.
Just wanted to be clear.
Now, go and vote. It's the patriotic thing to do.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Neither brief nor humorous...
I couldn't think of anything funny to say.
I have a concern. I am trying not to be concerned because well, that really doesn't help anything, does it? I was going to say worried but I changed the word to concerned because that seemed better. But it's the same thing, really.
Anyway, the reason I had a sonogram on Friday is because after examining me on Tuesday at an impromptu appointment brought on by me calling and saying something just feels weird, My doctor became concerned. He used that word, not worried. We must think alike.
After he checked me out, he sat down on the round wheely stool. I got concerned. He rarely sits down. He is a fantastic doctor but he is what I am not, brief. So he sits down and says that he is concerned about how low the baby's head is and that the pressure of that can cause my cervix to start opening. He went on to say that he is going to put me on some medication that has been proven effective in preterm labor. We are going to schedule a sonogram to see the exact thickness of my cervix and then we will see what we are dealing with. Take it easy, no strenuous activity, no heavy lifting. I am sure I was staring at him like I was a deer in the headlights. I didn't know what questions to ask or what to say. I could tell he was not panicked, or seriously concerned but the whole way he dealt with me changed.
Preterm labor. On Thursday I will be 28 weeks. 12 weeks to go. I don't really like that. Now, since that appt I have taken my medication faithfully and am feeling much better. I still have maybe 8-10 contractions a day, but they are painless and short. The pressure is somewhat relieved. The sonogram revealed that my cervix was at a 3.8(cm, mm, I have no clue...) and 4 is normal so that was good everyone said. But as I was leaving the office, the nurse gave me a receipt like thing and said, "Okay, if Dr. Sutliff thinks we need to check you every two weeks until you deliver, this is where you will come."
Every two weeks? Geez. Then I looked at the paper and at the bottom in the notes section someone had written, "High Risk Pregnancy." That does not make a woman feel secure.
So, of course, now I can think of a thousand questions. What are the chances I will be put on bed rest? Is it pretty certain I will deliver early? Is this common in second pregnancies? How concerned are you really, Dr. Sutliff?
Here is the stupid thing. I am not overly concerned about the baby. I feel like my doctor is more than competent in dealing with "High Risk Pregnancies" and knows how to keep this little guy safe. I think if we can keep him in his little home long enough, he will be fine.
What I am concerned about is the possibility of bed rest, taking it easy, teaching until I deliver, getting the nursery done, silly non important details. And the added medical cost. On the bottom of the pink slip that told me I was now a high risker, my balance had changed from a very friendly 180 dollars, to 740. Now, maybe insurance wasn't considered in that, yet, or maybe...something else.
But here is the thing. I feel like this will all work out. I am feeling better. My doctor knows what he is doing. And money is money. If getting this baby into the word healthy leaves us broke, oh well. A healthy baby, a baby period, is worth that. Also, maybe all the mental stress of not knowing about our future was causing some of this and now that the stress is gone, it will kind of go away.
And maybe it is nothing, anyway. Maybe this happens all the time and my doctor just failed to mention that. I have a regularly scheduled appt on Thursday and I will be loaded with questions then.
God knows what he is doing. It will be fine.
Sorry I wasn't funny. :)
PS - I did ask permission to visit my mom. He let me go. Just didn't want all you mother hens worrying... :)
I have a concern. I am trying not to be concerned because well, that really doesn't help anything, does it? I was going to say worried but I changed the word to concerned because that seemed better. But it's the same thing, really.
Anyway, the reason I had a sonogram on Friday is because after examining me on Tuesday at an impromptu appointment brought on by me calling and saying something just feels weird, My doctor became concerned. He used that word, not worried. We must think alike.
After he checked me out, he sat down on the round wheely stool. I got concerned. He rarely sits down. He is a fantastic doctor but he is what I am not, brief. So he sits down and says that he is concerned about how low the baby's head is and that the pressure of that can cause my cervix to start opening. He went on to say that he is going to put me on some medication that has been proven effective in preterm labor. We are going to schedule a sonogram to see the exact thickness of my cervix and then we will see what we are dealing with. Take it easy, no strenuous activity, no heavy lifting. I am sure I was staring at him like I was a deer in the headlights. I didn't know what questions to ask or what to say. I could tell he was not panicked, or seriously concerned but the whole way he dealt with me changed.
Preterm labor. On Thursday I will be 28 weeks. 12 weeks to go. I don't really like that. Now, since that appt I have taken my medication faithfully and am feeling much better. I still have maybe 8-10 contractions a day, but they are painless and short. The pressure is somewhat relieved. The sonogram revealed that my cervix was at a 3.8(cm, mm, I have no clue...) and 4 is normal so that was good everyone said. But as I was leaving the office, the nurse gave me a receipt like thing and said, "Okay, if Dr. Sutliff thinks we need to check you every two weeks until you deliver, this is where you will come."
Every two weeks? Geez. Then I looked at the paper and at the bottom in the notes section someone had written, "High Risk Pregnancy." That does not make a woman feel secure.
So, of course, now I can think of a thousand questions. What are the chances I will be put on bed rest? Is it pretty certain I will deliver early? Is this common in second pregnancies? How concerned are you really, Dr. Sutliff?
Here is the stupid thing. I am not overly concerned about the baby. I feel like my doctor is more than competent in dealing with "High Risk Pregnancies" and knows how to keep this little guy safe. I think if we can keep him in his little home long enough, he will be fine.
What I am concerned about is the possibility of bed rest, taking it easy, teaching until I deliver, getting the nursery done, silly non important details. And the added medical cost. On the bottom of the pink slip that told me I was now a high risker, my balance had changed from a very friendly 180 dollars, to 740. Now, maybe insurance wasn't considered in that, yet, or maybe...something else.
But here is the thing. I feel like this will all work out. I am feeling better. My doctor knows what he is doing. And money is money. If getting this baby into the word healthy leaves us broke, oh well. A healthy baby, a baby period, is worth that. Also, maybe all the mental stress of not knowing about our future was causing some of this and now that the stress is gone, it will kind of go away.
And maybe it is nothing, anyway. Maybe this happens all the time and my doctor just failed to mention that. I have a regularly scheduled appt on Thursday and I will be loaded with questions then.
God knows what he is doing. It will be fine.
Sorry I wasn't funny. :)
PS - I did ask permission to visit my mom. He let me go. Just didn't want all you mother hens worrying... :)
Monday, July 16, 2007
Rather Sentimental...
I don't know what to say because I have so much to say. I have nothing of significant importance to say but that is the glory of blogs. Significant is definitely not a requirement.
I guess first I should say that I am at my mom's this weekend in Marble Falls. Mason and I came down Friday afternoon and are going home tomorrow or wednesday. I can't decide which. I get here and everything is so easy and wonderful that I just really don't want to leave. Mason is having a blast although he is disappointed that none of his cousins are here to play with him.
He loves Geema's house for a multitude of reasons, probably the same reasons every grandchild loves their grandparents - tons of snacks, tons of attention, different toys, different backyard, and in Mason's case, a trampoline and swimming tank.
I love that he can enjoy the very things I enjoyed as a child growing up in this house. It's so fun to watch him splash in the big metal stock tank that has never once provided hydration to an animal, but only summer fun to countess children. It's special to me that he sleeps next to me in my parent's old bedroom, in the very room where I would once snuggle between my parents in a bad storm. It's nice to let him go grasshopper hunting outside without worry. I don't think I realized how special it is to be able to come home to the same place year after year, unchanged in any major way, to remember in great detail my own childhood that was played out in this very setting.
This place, 136 Lariat Lane, will always be home no matter where I actually live. The way it smells of outdoors and the air conditioning on a hot day, the sounds all the different doors make when they close and open, the many bugs and animals singing their nightly serenade as you drift to sleep, and the smells that flow from the kitchen as mom makes a meal that can never be replicated by any other, all provide a sense of continuity and safety only found here, at home.
I hope that I can create that same feeling for my own children as they grow up.
***
The timing of this trip was decided by a wedding. My childhood friend, Sarah, was married on saturday and I was so excited to see her big day. It was, in every way, perfectly and beautifully Sarah.
A few moments after arriving at the church, Sarah's little sister, who I swear should still be 10, came to say hi. She looked beautiful in her kneelength, strapless black dress, and she was certainly not ten, although her giddy smile easily reminded me of the Rebekah I used to play with at Sarah's farmhouse. She hugged my mom and I and then told us Sarah had asked to see us. We made our way back to that hurried, frenzied place that all weddings have in common where everything is in some form of controlled chaos.
After a few minutes of waiting, Sarah came out. She was absolutely beautiful. Her dress fitted her slender frame as though it were made specifically for her and her bare neckline was adorned by a simple string of pearls. Flowing over the dress, hundreds of beads and pearls made the dress sparkle. It was a dress that looked simplisticly modern or could be seen in a picture from an ageless wedding. We hugged the bride and asked how she was doing and she replied, "great!" with that kind of glazed look that brides get right before their wedding ceremony begins. But she was radiant. She defined radiant.
A few minutes later we were in our seats and the wedding was beginning. It's simplicity was it's perfection. Simple decorations, simple candles, but romanctic, intimate, classic. The Bridesmaids came in to the song "There is a Redeemer" sung by a guitarist. And then the music played for Sarah. It was a song I had never heard until then - "He loved me to the End." Slowly and quietly, the song filled the room, and then at the exact moment Sarah, escorted by her Dad, appeared, the music burst forth in what felt like a joyous chorus. It was amazing how the song became faster and louder but somehow the moment slowed down. There she was, Sarah, getting married. It's amazing how a wedding can create such conflicting emotions. I was thrilled for her, so happy to see her making that walk all girls dream of, looking like something out of a painting, knowing that she was walking towards the man of her dreams. But at that same moment, I was sad that she was getting married because it is just one more change in this world. One more reminder that we are growing up...grown up.
I wondered what her dad was thinking. I wanted to cry for him. I always want to cry for dads at weddings. How do they give their daughter away? If I, a mere outsider really, could see Sarah in her wedding dress and immediately flash back to our childhood days, what must her father be feeling and thinking as he makes that walk with a woman on his arm, not his little girl?
The ceremony was perfect and Jesus was there smiling at this new couple who so obviously have Jesus already at the heart of everything they do. And then it was over and they were introduced as the new couple they were and both smiled as though their lives had just begun.
The reception was at this old restored house that reminded me of some movie I had once seen. Since the wedding was at 10 am, the buffet was filled with delicious breakfast items and everything just seemed so timeless. When Sarah and I were younger we would watch Anne of Green Gables again and again. For some reason I kept feeling like I was in that movie. I don't know if that was because of the house, the food or the fact that it was Sarah's wedding, but the location of her reception was all her.
At the reception I had a chance to speak to Sarah's Mom and Dad again. Ned, her dad, is now touched by age, with a dignifed gray mustache and slightly thinner, frailer frame than I remember. But his voice is the same. I heard him speaking at a distance and, immediately, my throat tightened. It just reminded me so much of long ago...and my own dad. They looked nothing like but perhaps because I spent so much time at Sarahs and therefore saw Ned as like a second father, he will forever remind me of my own dad. Silly as it is, part of me wanted to run up to him and hug him as though he were my dad. But instead, mason and I walked over where we spoke for a few minutes and I did hug him. I was thankful I didn't cry because that would have been a ridiculously awkward thing to explain even if I am pregnant.
Steffani, her mom, evokes a similar reaction, but of a different nature. She has always reminded me of an actress as she has an ageless, graceful beauty about her that is simply beautiful. Her laugh is unforgettable, her smile so sincere. When I see her, I feel like I am the person she most wanted to see in the world. She doesn't make me sad when I see her. She makes me want to be like her, like my mom, like all the moms of my friends who welcomed other children into their world like they were their own.
Sarah and Michael drove off in a vintage car completing the ageless feel of the day. It was perfect.
Obviously the wedding (and perhaps the novel I am reading by Nicholas Sparks) has made me feel rather nostalgic. I know many of my blog readers (There are soooooo many ;) )do not know Sarah so this post was mainly for me, but I wanted to post it anyway.
I promise that in the next post I will attempt to be not only humorous, but brief. Well, at least humorous.
I guess first I should say that I am at my mom's this weekend in Marble Falls. Mason and I came down Friday afternoon and are going home tomorrow or wednesday. I can't decide which. I get here and everything is so easy and wonderful that I just really don't want to leave. Mason is having a blast although he is disappointed that none of his cousins are here to play with him.
He loves Geema's house for a multitude of reasons, probably the same reasons every grandchild loves their grandparents - tons of snacks, tons of attention, different toys, different backyard, and in Mason's case, a trampoline and swimming tank.
I love that he can enjoy the very things I enjoyed as a child growing up in this house. It's so fun to watch him splash in the big metal stock tank that has never once provided hydration to an animal, but only summer fun to countess children. It's special to me that he sleeps next to me in my parent's old bedroom, in the very room where I would once snuggle between my parents in a bad storm. It's nice to let him go grasshopper hunting outside without worry. I don't think I realized how special it is to be able to come home to the same place year after year, unchanged in any major way, to remember in great detail my own childhood that was played out in this very setting.
This place, 136 Lariat Lane, will always be home no matter where I actually live. The way it smells of outdoors and the air conditioning on a hot day, the sounds all the different doors make when they close and open, the many bugs and animals singing their nightly serenade as you drift to sleep, and the smells that flow from the kitchen as mom makes a meal that can never be replicated by any other, all provide a sense of continuity and safety only found here, at home.
I hope that I can create that same feeling for my own children as they grow up.
***
The timing of this trip was decided by a wedding. My childhood friend, Sarah, was married on saturday and I was so excited to see her big day. It was, in every way, perfectly and beautifully Sarah.
A few moments after arriving at the church, Sarah's little sister, who I swear should still be 10, came to say hi. She looked beautiful in her kneelength, strapless black dress, and she was certainly not ten, although her giddy smile easily reminded me of the Rebekah I used to play with at Sarah's farmhouse. She hugged my mom and I and then told us Sarah had asked to see us. We made our way back to that hurried, frenzied place that all weddings have in common where everything is in some form of controlled chaos.
After a few minutes of waiting, Sarah came out. She was absolutely beautiful. Her dress fitted her slender frame as though it were made specifically for her and her bare neckline was adorned by a simple string of pearls. Flowing over the dress, hundreds of beads and pearls made the dress sparkle. It was a dress that looked simplisticly modern or could be seen in a picture from an ageless wedding. We hugged the bride and asked how she was doing and she replied, "great!" with that kind of glazed look that brides get right before their wedding ceremony begins. But she was radiant. She defined radiant.
A few minutes later we were in our seats and the wedding was beginning. It's simplicity was it's perfection. Simple decorations, simple candles, but romanctic, intimate, classic. The Bridesmaids came in to the song "There is a Redeemer" sung by a guitarist. And then the music played for Sarah. It was a song I had never heard until then - "He loved me to the End." Slowly and quietly, the song filled the room, and then at the exact moment Sarah, escorted by her Dad, appeared, the music burst forth in what felt like a joyous chorus. It was amazing how the song became faster and louder but somehow the moment slowed down. There she was, Sarah, getting married. It's amazing how a wedding can create such conflicting emotions. I was thrilled for her, so happy to see her making that walk all girls dream of, looking like something out of a painting, knowing that she was walking towards the man of her dreams. But at that same moment, I was sad that she was getting married because it is just one more change in this world. One more reminder that we are growing up...grown up.
I wondered what her dad was thinking. I wanted to cry for him. I always want to cry for dads at weddings. How do they give their daughter away? If I, a mere outsider really, could see Sarah in her wedding dress and immediately flash back to our childhood days, what must her father be feeling and thinking as he makes that walk with a woman on his arm, not his little girl?
The ceremony was perfect and Jesus was there smiling at this new couple who so obviously have Jesus already at the heart of everything they do. And then it was over and they were introduced as the new couple they were and both smiled as though their lives had just begun.
The reception was at this old restored house that reminded me of some movie I had once seen. Since the wedding was at 10 am, the buffet was filled with delicious breakfast items and everything just seemed so timeless. When Sarah and I were younger we would watch Anne of Green Gables again and again. For some reason I kept feeling like I was in that movie. I don't know if that was because of the house, the food or the fact that it was Sarah's wedding, but the location of her reception was all her.
At the reception I had a chance to speak to Sarah's Mom and Dad again. Ned, her dad, is now touched by age, with a dignifed gray mustache and slightly thinner, frailer frame than I remember. But his voice is the same. I heard him speaking at a distance and, immediately, my throat tightened. It just reminded me so much of long ago...and my own dad. They looked nothing like but perhaps because I spent so much time at Sarahs and therefore saw Ned as like a second father, he will forever remind me of my own dad. Silly as it is, part of me wanted to run up to him and hug him as though he were my dad. But instead, mason and I walked over where we spoke for a few minutes and I did hug him. I was thankful I didn't cry because that would have been a ridiculously awkward thing to explain even if I am pregnant.
Steffani, her mom, evokes a similar reaction, but of a different nature. She has always reminded me of an actress as she has an ageless, graceful beauty about her that is simply beautiful. Her laugh is unforgettable, her smile so sincere. When I see her, I feel like I am the person she most wanted to see in the world. She doesn't make me sad when I see her. She makes me want to be like her, like my mom, like all the moms of my friends who welcomed other children into their world like they were their own.
Sarah and Michael drove off in a vintage car completing the ageless feel of the day. It was perfect.
Obviously the wedding (and perhaps the novel I am reading by Nicholas Sparks) has made me feel rather nostalgic. I know many of my blog readers (There are soooooo many ;) )do not know Sarah so this post was mainly for me, but I wanted to post it anyway.
I promise that in the next post I will attempt to be not only humorous, but brief. Well, at least humorous.
Friday, July 13, 2007
So....Guess What?!
I am having a
BOY!!!!!!
A boy! Due to some concerns my doctor had about how low the baby's head was, I had to have an ultrasound this morning at 7:30 to check for some things. I asked the nurse if she could maybe check for the sex too and she did and, finally, the baby's legs were uncrossed, and no umbilical cord was in the way. I am beyond thrilled.
We know we're having a boy, we know we aren't moving and Troy has a great job! Life is good!!!
By the way, everything looks okay, although I think I am going to have to take it pretty easy for a while. I will tell you more details after I have talked to my Doctor.
A boy. Another sweet crazy blone headed Wilde boy. I couldn't be happier!
BOY!!!!!!
A boy! Due to some concerns my doctor had about how low the baby's head was, I had to have an ultrasound this morning at 7:30 to check for some things. I asked the nurse if she could maybe check for the sex too and she did and, finally, the baby's legs were uncrossed, and no umbilical cord was in the way. I am beyond thrilled.
We know we're having a boy, we know we aren't moving and Troy has a great job! Life is good!!!
By the way, everything looks okay, although I think I am going to have to take it pretty easy for a while. I will tell you more details after I have talked to my Doctor.
A boy. Another sweet crazy blone headed Wilde boy. I couldn't be happier!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Glory! Hallelujah!
Troy has just accepted the assistant athletic trainer position at Angelo State University! Our prayers have been answered! This limbo phase of our lives has finally ended and I am thrilled. Troy is thrilled. We are staying put!!! No moving, no packing, no selling a house, no changing Doctors! Yay!!! Thank you everyone for your prayers and thoughts and words of encouragement!
Thank you Jesus for keeping us here and opening this door for us. Thank you. Thank you for giving us this time of indecision and chaos so that we better appreciate all the things we have here and because it gave us such a firm understanding of what we really wanted. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Thank you Jesus for keeping us here and opening this door for us. Thank you. Thank you for giving us this time of indecision and chaos so that we better appreciate all the things we have here and because it gave us such a firm understanding of what we really wanted. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Zoo and Rangers Pictures. There are quite a few...
Our Trip to Fort Worth
July 4th, 2007
just a teeny tiny glimpse of the amazing 4th of july fireworks!
My Boys
Boys having fun!!!
Mason cheering for his "friend", Kenny Lofton.THE FORT WORTH ZOO
Just a picture I think is pretty!
This tiger has the life, don't you think?
You can barely see them, but behind us are two sleeping gorillas. I loved primate world. The animals were amazing and it was air conditioned!
I asked Troy if I could ride on his shoulders but he said no. I wonder why...
Me and my sweet little boy!
This was Mason's "I don't want to smile for any more pictures!" smile.
Giraffes. My personal favorite.
The chimpanzees were the best. They would come right up to the window and make faces and be, well, monkeys!
Two Elephants. Hee Hee. I am just kidding. For history's sake, this is me at 26 weeks.Pictures! Can you believe it?
FUN WITH THE SLIP N SLIDE!!!
Showing off his muscles!
Showing off his muscles!
Troy playing dead. About two seconds later he arose from the dead with the magic phrase of "Spaghetti Balls" I don't know.
Daddy enjoying the slip n slide just as much as Mason.
I have to say he is pretty darn cute!CODY AND CHRISTY'S WEDDING
JUNE 16th, 2007
This is all the bridesmaids from the wedding Troy and I were in about three weeks ago. Aren't we so lovely?
Just Smooching ;)
Feeling pretty!
A rare photo of the two of us.FAMILY REUNION CAMPING TRIP
AT INKS LAKE STATE PARK
Mason and his cousin Blaine. They were so banged up and bruised by the end of the trip. They had so much fun boys.
Blaine, Brock, and mason. We lucked out getting four campsites all together that had a little stream running right behind them. All the kids had so much fun back there.
For whatever reason, throwing rocks at waterbugs kept these two busy for ever. :)
The Big Day has come and gone
Troy said the interview went pretty well. (If they were hiring based on looks, he would have gotten the job for sure. He looked quite good in his suit!) He met with like five different people or groups of people and he said that there was only one person that he felt a little weird about but he wasn't even really part of the decision process. So, its over, it went well and now we just have to wait. They said we would know something by Friday. How fantastic it will be to know something by Friday! Thank you all for your prayers!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Normal. Oh, really?
Okay, so with Mason I loved being pregnant. I did. I loved every little minute of it, except maybe the very last few(okay, the last three weeks were killer but whatever), and I just assumed that I would feel the same with this pregnancy. Not so. Not so at all. Now, I have enjoyed it and continue to enjoy it but there are a few more moments sprinkled in of complete annoyance at the things considered "normal" during some stage of pregnancy.
"No, October." Said by me with a hidden irritated tone.
"Oh, my! Well, you still have a ways, don't you?" Said by the woman whose smile has now changed into a look between shock and pity.
Word to the wise - just ask when people are due. Even if you are certain you know. Just ask. And then say, lie or not, "Oh, well you look great!" The other fascinating(I am using that word loosely) thing about the bulge is how it makes simple tasks near impossible. Rolling over in bed is a thought about decision. Is it worth it? If I roll over, what will my consequences be? Should I do this? Will Troy save me if I get caught mid roll? The bulge causes you to examine new couches with a keen eye. You sit on a non prego friendly couch and you could be there for a while. Or it could just be down right embarassing to get up. Or even worse, it may be the perfect couch. In which case, I am sorry, but there is no excuse but for me to go to sleep at that point. It's just my right people.
10.The everything else. Those are just some of the things I have experienced recently. I didn't even get into morning sickness which has about the worst name in the world. I have yet to speak to someone who was only sick in the morning. Let's just call it what it is. "Just when you're feeling good sickness." But the point I am trying to make is this. When you are pregnant, limbs could fall off, body parts could explode, hair color, your voice, the size of your feet could change, you could have a head cold for three months, a back ache for six, pee every five minutes, throw up everything yet gain 60 pounds, swell up to the size of a whale, or all but stop breathing and at least one previously pregnant person will look at you with a smile of pity and compassion and say, "That's just normal."
Normal. Really. Well, okay. Fine. I guess if that's what it takes to be a mom, I'll do it. With a smile. It's just funny to think about, you know? When else could someone throw up everything, pee constantly, have hands and feet swollen to twice their normal size, cry while laughing, and be forced to weigh themselves every month on a non-lying doctor's scale and all you can get from someone is, "that's normal" ?
P.S. I hope you all know that I was trying to make you laugh, not feel sorry for me. I do love being pregnant and all the joys of motherhood. Just wanted to write down the things I am feeling so I will remember it in six months...when I have a three month old. Aw, now that's a great thought.
- You always have to pee. No, I mean ALWAYS. Yes, there are times when you maybe aren't peeing but that is just because you refuse to go again until you have been out of a bathroom for at least 15 minutes. Or maybe the thought of dragging your body up from the throne is just too much to bear. But regardless of how much you actually pee, you ALWAYS have to go.
- Nosebleeds. Maybe I am one of the few preggos dealing with this. This isn't really even that bad. Especially if it happens in the privacy of your own home. Whats bad is when you are having a conversation with someone and their face suddenly changes and you know that blood is dripping from your nose. This "normalcy" can only be stopped by shoving tissues, napkins or toilet paper(since you are always in the bathroom), or a finger up your nose. Its great.
- Braxton Hicks Contractions. These were almost a treat the first time around. A little glimpse of what labor would be like.Ha. A sign that "the time" was coming. I, at like 22 weeks started experiencing a handful of these pleasantries and let me say, they are not quite the treat I remember them being. Now, they don't really hurt but what they are doing is making the pressure to pee almost unbearable and causing an odd sensation like something is going to fall right out of my crotch. (I apologize for all of you boys who happen to read blogs.) I am scared for real labor ladies. S-C-A-R-E-D.
- Hot Feet and Hands. Is this just me? My feet at night are hot. Not sweaty. Just hot. Like I have them stuck in an oven. Weird. Not normal. But for a pregnant person, "Oh, yeah, that happens" Smile.
- Back Aches. I am not talking your normal, run of the mill, working too hard in the yard, back ache. I am talking about the back ache you get just from standing up for too long. Too long being like five minutes. Or the backache you get from laying in bed too long. By too long I mean, five hours. When the latter happens, either the pain to pee or the back pain forces you to lug your body out of bed and sit there. Unable to awaken. Unable to sleep. I am sure that at any given moment, there are millions of pregnant women, just sitting there trying to decide which is worse - the pain of sleeping or being upright at 7am.
- Mood Swings. Cry. Laugh. Scream. Laugh. Cry. Cry some more. Sob. Laugh. Giggle. Yell. Beat something. Cry. Laugh. Get the picture? I have seriously almost cried during an episode of Hannah Montana. Or have become completely irrational at a fly that manages to escape the haphazard swings of my flyswatter. It's really quite hilarious. So I laugh at myself screaming at a fly, then cry because I am laughing because I was screaming. Dear God! Somebody save me!
- The Doctors. Why? WHY do we pay them so much to come in, squirt some jelly (cold jelly, by the way) on my tummy, rub an ancient heart monitor on my tummy, nod, and then say, "Any questions?" Well, of course I am not going to ask a question. We all know what the answer will be. "That's normal."
- Cravings. I read somewhere those were a myth. Really. Have you ever seen a pregnant woman in the grocery store completely and totally unable to steer her basket away from the double fudge caramel brownie mix? I mean they try people. They walk past it once or twice and then, BAM, in a flash, that box is in the cart and the woman can't remember a thing. Or have you observed how cars just drive through sonic on their own? It happens. WE CAN'T CONTROL IT PEOPLE! That's called a craving. It's the reason I have actually eaten a pickle followed by a bowl of ice cream. Cravings are the reason I go to Colt's games with my son and husband. They have nachos. Myth, my bootie! These things are real.
- The growing Bulge. Okay, now I am good with my bulge. I have accepted it, embraced it. It is what it is. A big bulge, but it's okay. I wasn't okay for the first five months but now I am starting to feel like a normal person. Oh, that's funny. "Normal Person." That is wrong. I am starting to feel like a normal pregnant person. What is unusual about the bulge is many things. One, hands just touch it. I personally am fine with this. For the most part. Two, the alien like features - Stretch marks, weird arms and and legs squirming around, dark veins, itchiness, soreness. All normal. What's also unusual is how a teeny baby can make such a bulge. A bulge that causes people to guess when your due date is.
"No, October." Said by me with a hidden irritated tone.
"Oh, my! Well, you still have a ways, don't you?" Said by the woman whose smile has now changed into a look between shock and pity.
Word to the wise - just ask when people are due. Even if you are certain you know. Just ask. And then say, lie or not, "Oh, well you look great!" The other fascinating(I am using that word loosely) thing about the bulge is how it makes simple tasks near impossible. Rolling over in bed is a thought about decision. Is it worth it? If I roll over, what will my consequences be? Should I do this? Will Troy save me if I get caught mid roll? The bulge causes you to examine new couches with a keen eye. You sit on a non prego friendly couch and you could be there for a while. Or it could just be down right embarassing to get up. Or even worse, it may be the perfect couch. In which case, I am sorry, but there is no excuse but for me to go to sleep at that point. It's just my right people.
10.The everything else. Those are just some of the things I have experienced recently. I didn't even get into morning sickness which has about the worst name in the world. I have yet to speak to someone who was only sick in the morning. Let's just call it what it is. "Just when you're feeling good sickness." But the point I am trying to make is this. When you are pregnant, limbs could fall off, body parts could explode, hair color, your voice, the size of your feet could change, you could have a head cold for three months, a back ache for six, pee every five minutes, throw up everything yet gain 60 pounds, swell up to the size of a whale, or all but stop breathing and at least one previously pregnant person will look at you with a smile of pity and compassion and say, "That's just normal."
Normal. Really. Well, okay. Fine. I guess if that's what it takes to be a mom, I'll do it. With a smile. It's just funny to think about, you know? When else could someone throw up everything, pee constantly, have hands and feet swollen to twice their normal size, cry while laughing, and be forced to weigh themselves every month on a non-lying doctor's scale and all you can get from someone is, "that's normal" ?
P.S. I hope you all know that I was trying to make you laugh, not feel sorry for me. I do love being pregnant and all the joys of motherhood. Just wanted to write down the things I am feeling so I will remember it in six months...when I have a three month old. Aw, now that's a great thought.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
A very important day
Tuesday is the day. At long last, Troy will have his interview with ASU. I know very few details because I am married to a man. I am sure all you wives know what that means. But I do know it is a very lengthy process and he has to interview with like six different people so it will be a long thing. My prayer at this point is just that the results of the interview are quick. I hope they interview him and then like the next day, call and tell us yes or no. Then we can move on...or stay put.
So Tuesday. Big day for us Wildes. Send up some prayers. :)
So Tuesday. Big day for us Wildes. Send up some prayers. :)
Thursday, July 5, 2007
My Sweet Boys
Today, during the incredibly long drive home from Fort Worth, Mason and Troy were playing I Spy in the back seat. At one point this was the conversation I heard.
Troy: I spy something...Pretty.
Mason: Momma!
Troy: How did you know it was her?!
Mason: Because Momma is pretty.
Now, that can make a momma feel special.
Troy: I spy something...Pretty.
Mason: Momma!
Troy: How did you know it was her?!
Mason: Because Momma is pretty.
Now, that can make a momma feel special.
So much fun!
Isn't it nice when things surpass your expectations?
Yesterday, we went to the Fort Worth Zoo and a Rangers Game. Mason, Troy and I had so much fun!
I don't know if any of you have ever been to the Fort Worth Zoo, but wow! It was so great. We got there about 15 minutes before the park opened at 10am and stayed until 3pm. The zoo was beautiful with fantastic exhibits. My favorite was Primate world. It was huge and the animals were so active! Mason just loved every second of it. I have been to the Abilene, San Antonio, and Honolulu zoo and I have to say they don't really compare! The fort worth zoo was big, beautiful, shady, and full of fantastic animals. It was truly better than I expected. I can't wait to post some of the 140 pictures I took!
So, after our day at the zoo, we went to the Rangers game. Our friends, Cody and Christy, had free tickets from a Doctor who has seats like in the 7th row, right behind the first base line. Sammy Sosa was just right there!!! Mason was so very impressed with the whole thing. He screamed for the players, clapped, danced, and ate nachos. At one point he was screaming for Kenny Lofton and then looks at Troy and said, "He heard me. He's my friend." Troy had an equally good time. Actually, I don't know who had a better time - Mason or Troy. I had a good time even though I am far from the biggest sports fan. I paid a great deal of attention because they don't have nets to block foul balls. Yeah, after seeing TWO people get whacked with a line drive I was very interested in the game. After the Rangers won, there was a fantastic fireworks show, the best I have ever seen. It was set to music and every time a song would end Mason would say, "Oh, it's over" and then when they would start again his little face would light up and he would go, "Oh, my gosh!" in complete awe. It was such a great night. And I have to say it felt pretty patriotic, sitting there with 45,000 Americans watching fireworks in the dark in the Ranger's Stadium.
It was a pretty fantastic 4th of July. What a blessing it is to live in this country.
Yesterday, we went to the Fort Worth Zoo and a Rangers Game. Mason, Troy and I had so much fun!
I don't know if any of you have ever been to the Fort Worth Zoo, but wow! It was so great. We got there about 15 minutes before the park opened at 10am and stayed until 3pm. The zoo was beautiful with fantastic exhibits. My favorite was Primate world. It was huge and the animals were so active! Mason just loved every second of it. I have been to the Abilene, San Antonio, and Honolulu zoo and I have to say they don't really compare! The fort worth zoo was big, beautiful, shady, and full of fantastic animals. It was truly better than I expected. I can't wait to post some of the 140 pictures I took!
So, after our day at the zoo, we went to the Rangers game. Our friends, Cody and Christy, had free tickets from a Doctor who has seats like in the 7th row, right behind the first base line. Sammy Sosa was just right there!!! Mason was so very impressed with the whole thing. He screamed for the players, clapped, danced, and ate nachos. At one point he was screaming for Kenny Lofton and then looks at Troy and said, "He heard me. He's my friend." Troy had an equally good time. Actually, I don't know who had a better time - Mason or Troy. I had a good time even though I am far from the biggest sports fan. I paid a great deal of attention because they don't have nets to block foul balls. Yeah, after seeing TWO people get whacked with a line drive I was very interested in the game. After the Rangers won, there was a fantastic fireworks show, the best I have ever seen. It was set to music and every time a song would end Mason would say, "Oh, it's over" and then when they would start again his little face would light up and he would go, "Oh, my gosh!" in complete awe. It was such a great night. And I have to say it felt pretty patriotic, sitting there with 45,000 Americans watching fireworks in the dark in the Ranger's Stadium.
It was a pretty fantastic 4th of July. What a blessing it is to live in this country.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Fort Worth
Yeah, so the interview went pretty darn good. Troy all but got offered the job on the spot. Plus he really liked the Assistant Athletic Director of Fort Worth who is the guy he would answer to. So I guess if ASU is a bust, then we could have a back up. I have to say that it doesn't seem terrible up here. Still not my first choice, but it could work if it had to.
We'll see.
We'll see.
Jesus Talking
Also, in the car on the way to Fort Worth, this conversation took place. I don't know how it started. I think we were talking about Jesus making rain or something.
Mason: Jesus lives in the clouds.
Troy: Where else does he live?
Mason: In your heart and in your head.
Troy: He lives in your head?
Mason: Yep, he talks to you there.
Troy: How do you hear him?
Mason: You just listen. Listen.
Troy: Oh, what does he say in your head?
Mason: Always be respectful.
Sweet little thing.
It is pretty amazing that he gets the just listening part better than me.
Mason: Jesus lives in the clouds.
Troy: Where else does he live?
Mason: In your heart and in your head.
Troy: He lives in your head?
Mason: Yep, he talks to you there.
Troy: How do you hear him?
Mason: You just listen. Listen.
Troy: Oh, what does he say in your head?
Mason: Always be respectful.
Sweet little thing.
It is pretty amazing that he gets the just listening part better than me.
A Good Brain
As we were driving to Fort Worth, Mason thankfully took a nap. Well, when he wakes up in the car it is sometimes a not so pleasant time so we try to make the waking up process silly or something. So, yesterday, as he was waking up we happened to be driving by a big dirt pile where construction was taking place.
Troy: What is that?
Mason(rolling his eyes): You know what that is.
Troy: No, I really don't. What is it?
Mason(sighing): It's where they make sand. Guys make sand there in that sand pit.
Jenny(mimicking Mason's tone): Yeah, dad. Geez, it's a sand pit.
Mason: You don't have a good brain dad.
Troy: Mason! I do too.
Mason: No, but mom does.
A few hours later at Cody and Christy's
Mason: Dad, here, eat these smarties. They'll help your brain.
Troy: What is that?
Mason(rolling his eyes): You know what that is.
Troy: No, I really don't. What is it?
Mason(sighing): It's where they make sand. Guys make sand there in that sand pit.
Jenny(mimicking Mason's tone): Yeah, dad. Geez, it's a sand pit.
Mason: You don't have a good brain dad.
Troy: Mason! I do too.
Mason: No, but mom does.
A few hours later at Cody and Christy's
Mason: Dad, here, eat these smarties. They'll help your brain.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
An addendum
I thought I should post an addendum to my previous post(my crazy brain) because I wanted to explain my seemingly complete change of heart. That is one of the bad things about blogging while you are pregnant (or just me...). I "let my thoughts flow" as they come and then things change and my thoughts change and you poor souls are left to wonder why I spent two hours lamenting my desire to stay at home when three weeks later I am all "Woo Hoo! Lesson plans, classroom management....teaching is great!" So here is an explanation for those who may be wondering and to make me feel less like a psycho.
Last week, a position opened in Fort Worth, Texas. Its the one were interviewing for on Tuesday. It pays more than ASU, its in a good school district and Troy might have a good chance for it because he knows some people who know people... Well, we started looking at apartments on line and I started to really imagine what my life would be like in a big city. And I started to get depressed. I could stay at home but I would most likely be in a small apartment or rent house which would cost more than our home here that I love dearly. I would have very few friends there. Troy's job would be a little more demanding. And it just didn't feel right. I just was bummed about it. And I was really trying to be excited.
In the meantime, Troy was talking to the ASU trainer about the specifics of pay, benefits, etc. Well, the bring home pay was about 300 less than we originally thought. It was already going to be incredibly tight as it was, but taking 300 bucks away made it crazy impossible. Then we found out the clincher. He does not recieve benefits, like health insurance, until 90 days after his first day of employment. That would be November 1st, conveniently about 21 days after I am due to deliver. My benefits through my job would stop in August. Not an ideal situation. I could choose to pay for the insurance out of pocket but that would make an impossibly tight financial situation even tighter.
So, I started thinking. I started praying. I started to really think about teaching. If one has to work, it is, in my opinion, the best mom job. Summers, holidays, breaks, weekends, and you are working in an environment filled with moms and children loving people. I started to think about what it would be like to just know "We are staying here. I am teaching, yes, but we are here. No moving, no house selling, no leaving friends, no unknowns." That made me feel good enough to call Human Resources.
I asked the lady about all the details about time off after having a baby. From my conversation with her, I discovered that I could leave when the baby is born and not come back until after Christmas Break. That would give me 12 weeks at home with the baby. Of course, if I deliver like three weeks early, then that would change, but no matter when I deliver I can take those 12 weeks. During those 12 weeks, I will have six weeks with partial pay because of disability insurance, then 16 days of sick days that I won't get charged for and then the remainder of the days I will have to "pay" for but, if all goes as planned, my time off will include Christmas and Thanksgiving break so I won't have to pay for many days. So I will get 12 weeks off but it really will only be 10 weeks of work. That's probably way confusing and stupid info to all of you.I would get 12 weeks off. That's the point.
The next thing was talking to Mr. Waters about it all. When I said, "If Troy gets the ASU job, I will have to teach and I will want to take 12 weeks off after the baby and come back after Christmas." He said, "But youll come back?! That sounds great to me." It was great to know that he would want me back even when I am going to leave one of his classrooms "teacherless" for 12 weeks.
So, after all that, I called a person whose opinion matters more to me than most. My mom. I told her everything I knew and almost before I could finish the details, she says, "I would teach Jenny. I know you want to stay at home. I want you at home. But I just think there are so many benefits to you guys staying in San Angelo. Everywhere else will be full of unknowns. The rest of your pregnancy will be spent stressing and moving. And I don't really know how happy you would even be staying at home while in a big city in a tiny apartment with few friends." It's so nice when someone you respect and admire and you know knows you, says exactly what you are thinking. I felt like the decision was made then.
So, after three days of thinking and praying, I just really felt at peace with working again. I still have to push certain thoughts from my mind - like, well, I don't want to say them because I don't want to get sad. I know it will be hard and I know I will cry and wish more times than one that I was at home, but I think the pros of staying and working outweigh the other options.
And, one last thing. One of the teachers I was teaching with at summer school who has four kids, who wished she could have been at home with but it just never worked out for her, (by the way, her kids are AMAZING. I had one in a class last year. LUVED her!) said, "There has to be a reason. Maybe there is some 6th grader that really needs you. " And you know what, I am going to cling to that. There is some student who needs me. God needs me there. And therefore he will give me the Grace, energy, stamina and creativity to figure out how to make it through.
So, I hope that explains the major change of heart. I do still wish there was a way to stay at home and I believe that it will happen, just not now. Now, hopefully you all don't think I am a complete psycho and that there is some justification to the madness. ;)
Last week, a position opened in Fort Worth, Texas. Its the one were interviewing for on Tuesday. It pays more than ASU, its in a good school district and Troy might have a good chance for it because he knows some people who know people... Well, we started looking at apartments on line and I started to really imagine what my life would be like in a big city. And I started to get depressed. I could stay at home but I would most likely be in a small apartment or rent house which would cost more than our home here that I love dearly. I would have very few friends there. Troy's job would be a little more demanding. And it just didn't feel right. I just was bummed about it. And I was really trying to be excited.
In the meantime, Troy was talking to the ASU trainer about the specifics of pay, benefits, etc. Well, the bring home pay was about 300 less than we originally thought. It was already going to be incredibly tight as it was, but taking 300 bucks away made it crazy impossible. Then we found out the clincher. He does not recieve benefits, like health insurance, until 90 days after his first day of employment. That would be November 1st, conveniently about 21 days after I am due to deliver. My benefits through my job would stop in August. Not an ideal situation. I could choose to pay for the insurance out of pocket but that would make an impossibly tight financial situation even tighter.
So, I started thinking. I started praying. I started to really think about teaching. If one has to work, it is, in my opinion, the best mom job. Summers, holidays, breaks, weekends, and you are working in an environment filled with moms and children loving people. I started to think about what it would be like to just know "We are staying here. I am teaching, yes, but we are here. No moving, no house selling, no leaving friends, no unknowns." That made me feel good enough to call Human Resources.
I asked the lady about all the details about time off after having a baby. From my conversation with her, I discovered that I could leave when the baby is born and not come back until after Christmas Break. That would give me 12 weeks at home with the baby. Of course, if I deliver like three weeks early, then that would change, but no matter when I deliver I can take those 12 weeks. During those 12 weeks, I will have six weeks with partial pay because of disability insurance, then 16 days of sick days that I won't get charged for and then the remainder of the days I will have to "pay" for but, if all goes as planned, my time off will include Christmas and Thanksgiving break so I won't have to pay for many days. So I will get 12 weeks off but it really will only be 10 weeks of work. That's probably way confusing and stupid info to all of you.I would get 12 weeks off. That's the point.
The next thing was talking to Mr. Waters about it all. When I said, "If Troy gets the ASU job, I will have to teach and I will want to take 12 weeks off after the baby and come back after Christmas." He said, "But youll come back?! That sounds great to me." It was great to know that he would want me back even when I am going to leave one of his classrooms "teacherless" for 12 weeks.
So, after all that, I called a person whose opinion matters more to me than most. My mom. I told her everything I knew and almost before I could finish the details, she says, "I would teach Jenny. I know you want to stay at home. I want you at home. But I just think there are so many benefits to you guys staying in San Angelo. Everywhere else will be full of unknowns. The rest of your pregnancy will be spent stressing and moving. And I don't really know how happy you would even be staying at home while in a big city in a tiny apartment with few friends." It's so nice when someone you respect and admire and you know knows you, says exactly what you are thinking. I felt like the decision was made then.
So, after three days of thinking and praying, I just really felt at peace with working again. I still have to push certain thoughts from my mind - like, well, I don't want to say them because I don't want to get sad. I know it will be hard and I know I will cry and wish more times than one that I was at home, but I think the pros of staying and working outweigh the other options.
And, one last thing. One of the teachers I was teaching with at summer school who has four kids, who wished she could have been at home with but it just never worked out for her, (by the way, her kids are AMAZING. I had one in a class last year. LUVED her!) said, "There has to be a reason. Maybe there is some 6th grader that really needs you. " And you know what, I am going to cling to that. There is some student who needs me. God needs me there. And therefore he will give me the Grace, energy, stamina and creativity to figure out how to make it through.
So, I hope that explains the major change of heart. I do still wish there was a way to stay at home and I believe that it will happen, just not now. Now, hopefully you all don't think I am a complete psycho and that there is some justification to the madness. ;)
My Crazy Brain
So, since, meeting with my boss, and discussing me teaching again this year I seriously have not been able to stop thinking about teaching. But here's the thing. I am not thinking about it like, "Oh, man, the bad behavior, the upset parents, the long hours..." No, I have not been able to stop thinking about lesson plans, classroom arrangements, creative writing projects, new classroom management plans. I am almost tempted to say I am excited about it.
Teaching is a slightly addicting profession because even as one school year ends and you can't imagine making it another day, there is, in the back of your mind, a little twinge of excitement about the next year when you can do it again, but better. It's odd.
Of course, I do have moments of dread when I think of certain parts of the job, but for the most part, I am just pretty excited. See, Mr. Waters told me that I will be teaching 6th grade writing. The great things about that are: 1, I will dealing with 6th graders who will be just a little bit younger. 2. I will be teaching the same subject so it won't be completely new material and 3, most important, there is NO TAKS TEST. I can teach writing without the pressure of the looming test in February. I will still, of course, have to prepare them for what will come in 7th grade, but I won't have the pressure. We can do more in depth things, and we can do projects that may take a while because we won't have the time crunch factor. It's pretty exciting.
So, here I am, unable to go to sleep at night because I am thinking about how I could try to stations in my class or how I could teach them grammar in a fun way or how we can partner with reading and social studies to try some cross curricular things. It's really quite odd. The very thing I dreaded for so long, teaching again, now feels almost like a creative project I can't wait to begin.
Now, please, let's all pray Troy gets that ASU job because otherwise I don't know what will happen. By the way, the position at ASU is offically open as of Friday afternoon. We are awaiting a call for an interview.
In the meantime, he got called for an interview in Fort Worth. We don't really want to go there now but we also don't want to burn any bridges. So, we all are going and we are going to take Mason to the Fort Worth Zoo and a Rangers game. Some friends of ours were able to get free tickets to the game on the fourth of July! We are super excited!
Now, that I am sure many of you think I am the most flaky, wishy washy person on earth I will stop rambling on about the thoughts going on in my crazy brain...
Teaching is a slightly addicting profession because even as one school year ends and you can't imagine making it another day, there is, in the back of your mind, a little twinge of excitement about the next year when you can do it again, but better. It's odd.
Of course, I do have moments of dread when I think of certain parts of the job, but for the most part, I am just pretty excited. See, Mr. Waters told me that I will be teaching 6th grade writing. The great things about that are: 1, I will dealing with 6th graders who will be just a little bit younger. 2. I will be teaching the same subject so it won't be completely new material and 3, most important, there is NO TAKS TEST. I can teach writing without the pressure of the looming test in February. I will still, of course, have to prepare them for what will come in 7th grade, but I won't have the pressure. We can do more in depth things, and we can do projects that may take a while because we won't have the time crunch factor. It's pretty exciting.
So, here I am, unable to go to sleep at night because I am thinking about how I could try to stations in my class or how I could teach them grammar in a fun way or how we can partner with reading and social studies to try some cross curricular things. It's really quite odd. The very thing I dreaded for so long, teaching again, now feels almost like a creative project I can't wait to begin.
Now, please, let's all pray Troy gets that ASU job because otherwise I don't know what will happen. By the way, the position at ASU is offically open as of Friday afternoon. We are awaiting a call for an interview.
In the meantime, he got called for an interview in Fort Worth. We don't really want to go there now but we also don't want to burn any bridges. So, we all are going and we are going to take Mason to the Fort Worth Zoo and a Rangers game. Some friends of ours were able to get free tickets to the game on the fourth of July! We are super excited!
Now, that I am sure many of you think I am the most flaky, wishy washy person on earth I will stop rambling on about the thoughts going on in my crazy brain...
Vacuum Cleaners
I remember when I was a kid, me and my siblings would dread my mom pulling out the vacuum cleaner. Something about that chore turned her into a crazy person. Well, not really, but she would just get so frustrated with the vacuum cleaner and it could put her in such a bad mood. We used to joke about it all the time. What's funny is that as much as us kids hated to see her vacuuming it was never enough to make us volunteer for the task. Sorry mom...
Well, as Troy says, I am in the final stages of metamorphosis as I go from Jenny to Julie.
Yesterday, I just wanted to vacuum the living room. That's it. Simple enough right? Yeah, that's what I thought.
I plugged the vacuum in, and using the attachment, attempted to vacuum the area in front of the fireplace. Pretty quickly I noticed the complete lack of suction. So I turned it off, attempted to figure out what was wrong and discovered multiple clogs in all the hoses. (Stupid dumb pet hair) I took the vacuum cleaner apart, unclogged the clogs, grumbling and mumbling the whole time. Then I put the thing back together, turned it on, and the suction worked, but it very quickly started smoking. Nothing, NOTHING, is worse than the smell of a smoking, rubber burning vacuum cleaner. So, again, I turned it off, and discovered that in reassembling the stupid thing, I put the belt back on wrong. Therefore it broke. By this time I had said the word stupid so many times, Mason wasn't even looking at me in horror. Thankfully, I had an extra belt. I put it on, this time, using the directions(at Mason's suggestion) and it worked. So I was finally vacuuming while wishing that I could just yank up every square inch of carpet in the house even it meant just having cement floors.
Then I vacuumed up the phone cord. I almost cussed in front of my son. The vacuum cleaner stalled out, i guess, because it just shut down. By some miracle, after I yanked out the phone cord with a strength unknown to me in usual circumstances, the vacuum cleaner worked again. I finished the task.
On top of all that, for some reasoning vacuuming while pregnant gives me the worst back ache. It makes me hurt when I walk. I hate vacuums. I get it now, Mom. Now, if I just had eye glasses to lose, I would be you. :)
Well, as Troy says, I am in the final stages of metamorphosis as I go from Jenny to Julie.
Yesterday, I just wanted to vacuum the living room. That's it. Simple enough right? Yeah, that's what I thought.
I plugged the vacuum in, and using the attachment, attempted to vacuum the area in front of the fireplace. Pretty quickly I noticed the complete lack of suction. So I turned it off, attempted to figure out what was wrong and discovered multiple clogs in all the hoses. (Stupid dumb pet hair) I took the vacuum cleaner apart, unclogged the clogs, grumbling and mumbling the whole time. Then I put the thing back together, turned it on, and the suction worked, but it very quickly started smoking. Nothing, NOTHING, is worse than the smell of a smoking, rubber burning vacuum cleaner. So, again, I turned it off, and discovered that in reassembling the stupid thing, I put the belt back on wrong. Therefore it broke. By this time I had said the word stupid so many times, Mason wasn't even looking at me in horror. Thankfully, I had an extra belt. I put it on, this time, using the directions(at Mason's suggestion) and it worked. So I was finally vacuuming while wishing that I could just yank up every square inch of carpet in the house even it meant just having cement floors.
Then I vacuumed up the phone cord. I almost cussed in front of my son. The vacuum cleaner stalled out, i guess, because it just shut down. By some miracle, after I yanked out the phone cord with a strength unknown to me in usual circumstances, the vacuum cleaner worked again. I finished the task.
On top of all that, for some reasoning vacuuming while pregnant gives me the worst back ache. It makes me hurt when I walk. I hate vacuums. I get it now, Mom. Now, if I just had eye glasses to lose, I would be you. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)