I've been tagged!

I have to thank my friend Amy for "tagging" me in her last post! I'm glad since I really didn't have much to say this week. I'm just trying to stay sane since I still have a week and a half left of school and my class has already started their summer break. Lots of discipline issues. Could they really make my hair turn gray in one week...the possibilites!!!!
I'm really excited that my mom will be visiting next weekend. I have a lot of planning to do though. I'm trying to plan a "month early" birthday party for Kelsey so my mom can be there. It will be a small family get-together. She will still be having her "real" party in July! I can't wait...Jon and I have almost survived our first year!
Here's the post:

8 things I'm looking forward to:
1. Seeing Mom!
2. Summer Break
3. Hanging out at the pool (it opened last weekend)!
4. Cleaning out the garage when school gets out (this one's for Jon)
5. Kelsey's 1st Birthday
6. Seeing old friends.
7. Losing more weight over the summer
8. Going back to 3rd grade (my fingers are crossed for this one)

8 things I did yesterday:
1. Went to the pool.
2. Cooked a shrimp crab boil....yum!
3. Watch Kelsey.
4. Made my class awards.
5. Went to school and packed (we're moving to our new school soon)!
6. Drank lots of coffee.
7. Did laundry.
8. Watched TV.

8 things I wish I could do:
1. Decorate a cake and wow people.
2. Keep the toys in one place.
3. Hire an interior decorator (I just don't have a knack)
4. Not go to school this week ;)
5. Lose 20 more pounds.
6. Start running.
7. National Boards (think I'm going to wait a year...to much chaos this year)
8. Go on a clothes shopping spree...nothing fits right these days.

8 Shows I watch:
1. Real World/Road Rules Challenge
2. Lost
3. American Idol
4. Grey's Anatomy
5. Brother's and Sisters
6. Oprah (not lately since I'm driving home from school when its on)
7. The Hills
8. Dr. Phil

Now I'm going to tag:
Jenny
Shelley
Nicole
Angela

Hope everyone has a great week...oh yeah...I did gain .4 lbs. last week (obviously didn't want to tell anyone, but I think it might hold me more accountable now). Another weigh in tomorrow....cross your fingers!

Memorial Day Weekend

What a relaxing weekend...totally needed it! On Saturday (since Jon had to work and it was raining here-and-there) Kelsey and I stayed in and played with her toys all day. I've decided that its time to get some new ones soon...thank goodness her birthday's just around the corner ;)
On Sunday, we all hung out at the pool and Vannah and James stopped by and stayed with us for a few hours. Kelsey did such a great job! She was such a trooper even with the water being as cold as it was. She definitely didn't like hanging in her floating turtle for long periods of time, but I'm sure a few more encounters with the "big bathtub" will prepare her to ride solo one day soon. (well...with me by her side of course).
Memorial Day was today and we celebrated by spending time with family. I can never say, "No!" to grilling out! Some holiday's, for me, have lost their meaning. They're just another free day off from school. For example, this morning I thought, "Yes...I can wear white again!" but then as I watched the parades on TV and listened to the radio, I realized that I had forgotten today's purpose. So in honor of those who have dedicated their lives in service of our country, Thank You...we owe our freedom to you!

EOG's...What's going on?!?!

I have been teaching for 4 and a half years...and this, my friends, is the first year I was not too happy about my EOG results. Almost my whole class passed the math section and basically half of my class didn't pass reading. Five of the students in reading were one point away from passing (are you kidding me?) I am just so sad...for myself and the kids who really tried and have to take it again. And those who didn't care the first time most likely won't care the second time either.

I guess all I can do now is get over it, and move on! It's time to celebrate with the students who passed and showed tons of growth. One of my girls was in the 98th percentile in Math....that's amazing! That's what I need to focus on...the positive! I'm supposed to have an EOG celebration on Tuesday for the students that passed....this will be very interesting! Here's a crazy shot of them right before recess!

The Bad Rap

There are only 16 more school days left until summer vacation begins!!! My class is in the middle of taking the EOG's (Friday, Monday, and Tuesday). I get so nervous during this time of the year. I just don't understand the point of long drawn-out tests to prove whether I am doing my job or not. No one ever considers the fact that some kids just don't care nor want to progress academically. I have come up with every single bit of bribery to motivate my class this year....EOG prize wall, Chik-fil-a coupons, Mc Donald's coupons, EOG party....I've even told them I would dye my hair any color if they "all" pass! What am I doing to myself?!!!? I guess whatever it takes to get the job done...huh?!?!

On Saturday, I got to spend some time with some of the girls at a "Spa Party" at Vannah's house. Of course I made sure to wear my usual amount of make-up only to have to wash it off once I got there. We did facial scrubs, microderm abrasions, foot treatments...everything relaxing! After a few loaded lemonades we were laughing and giggling all they way through the night! I had so much fun!

Today I got weighed in...lost another 1.2 lbs. Don't ask me how...it was half of what I really wanted to lose.

VERY IMPORTANT NEWS....

Calling all Day Cares....Do NOT be deceived by this pretty little face!

Kelsey received her first bad report today. Mrs. Judy informed me that Kelsey is knocking Austin (same age a Kelsey) over, climbing on top of him, and trying to claw at his face and eyeballs....am I seriously raising the next class bully?!?! I guess she does like to grab for our faces, but its never anything spiteful and it definitely never hurts, but then again I'm not a baby. So now the N-O word is in full effect. Any advice on how to fix this problem??? I am a bit perplexed.

Shame...shame...shame :(

Only lost .8 lbs. this week. I guess that's better than none...and I know what day messed up my whole week (Wed...BBQ (couldn't resist)), so now its time to jump "back" on board the tracking machine and monitor my progress daily. Goal this week: 3 lbs. Realistic...not sure! Hopeful...YES!!!

A tribute to the Mom's in my life!

A Mother's Love is like an island

In life's ocean vast and wide,

A peaceful, quiet shelter

From the restless, rising tide ...

A Mother's Love is like a fortress

And we seek protection there

When the waves of tribulation

Seem to drown us in despair ...

A Mother's Love's a sanctuary

Where our souls can find sweet rest

From the struggle and the tension

Of life's fast and futile quest ...

A Mother's Love is like a tower

Rising far above the crowd,

And her smile is like the sunshine

Breaking through a threatening cloud ...

A Mother's Love is like a beacon

Burning bright with Faith and Prayer,

And through the changing scenes of life

We can find a Haven There ...

For A Mother's Love is fashioned

After God's enduring love,

It is endless and unfailing

Like the love of Him above ...

For God knew in His great wisdom

That He couldn't be Everywhere,

So He put His Little Children,

In a Loving Mother's Care.

Mom thank you for always being there for me, listening to me when I'm having "those" kind of days and thinking of me (Jon and Kelsey) often...I'm the mom I am today because of you! Grandma, thank you for teaching me how to be forgiving and hardworking...I still have so much to learn from you...especially how to keep a plant alive! Cindy, thank you for being so strong and persevering when times get hard...I never give up on anything because of you! Sharon, thank you for the laughs and the tight, long hugs...I pass them on whenever I can! Angel, thank you for the long talks on the way home and for being the missing puzzle piece in my life...I have learned to "look at the brighter side of things" because of you! Janice, thank you for loving me like your own daughter and supporting me in all that I do...I'm glad you're only a few minutes away and that we are so close! Carmen, Heather, and Angela (and one day Angie)...thank you for all the advice, mentoring, phone calls... and yes...the hand-me-downs...I love you all more than you'll ever know! Jenny, thank you for making me feel not like a sister-in-law...but a sister! I look forward to all the adventures we'll have with the kids one day when you guys get back to NC. Shelley, thank you for your friendship and keeping me motivated...with everything in my life! I couldn't ask for a better friend/sister!

Because of ALL of you, I have the HIGHEST paying full time job; a job whose payment is pure love!

Lena Bena!!!

Today we got to meet our little niece Alena! Jenny, Courtie and Alena arrived yesterday to visit for a few days. We didn't even think we would get to see them until Saturday, so we were pleasantly surprised they were available tonight. Alena was so alert and active and was an absolute doll! I got to hold her for a little bit and what a snuggler she was. Kelsey was very intrigued by her too. She would crawl towards Alena every chance she got (I'm sure she wanted to give her a little taste of the "hair tug" she's into now...but I wouldn't let her). Kelsey even tried to talk to her (which is still a shrill scream)!!! Watch and see Kelsey's new welcoming speech...

Poor baby!!! Here are some more pics of the two cousins! Next year they will be running and playing together (BFF's)! We love you Bena!

5 Pound Star...YAY!!!

I know everyone has been hanging on the edge of their seats for the latest weight loss (drum roll...rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr) I have lost another 4.4 lbs. That is a total loss of 7.4 lbs. I can totally tell by my pants...there not so "tight" anymore! I received my first 5 pound star...sounds insignificant, but it means a lot to me! I know I can keep it up because this is so much easier than I ever thought it would be! Yay for me!

Say NO to grass (you'll see)!

As quickly as Kelsey has learned to crawl, she now stands and is ready to be "on the run." Last Monday, Jon and I walked into Kelsey's bedroom first thing in the morning and were shocked to see Kelsey standing in her crib. We burst out laughing because she was just too adorable...standing and slobbering all over the top rail of the crib. If only I had the camera! The weather has been absolutely wonderful the past few days (what does our wheather man know!?!? It hasn't rained yet). We decided to take Kelsey on a little walk outside while Jon was grilling out some chicken. Sure enough, we were amazed at our findings! Watch and you'll see what I'm talking about ;)

Yes...Kelsey is afraid of grass! It's like when you carry a cat over a bathtub full of water and the cat begins twisting itself with all paws stretched backwards as if that will help it stay out of the water. I basically had the same problem with Kelsey and the front yard...how crazy!

Here is Kelsey's 9 month picture with her teddy bear. I think I kinda forgot to do the 8 month one...but I do have pictures without the bear...oh well!

Here Kelsey is with Grandma Janice on the rocking horse. I think she liked it, but was a little confused about what to do. Kelsey loves going to Grandma's house ;)