My Teaching "Intern"...Sounds Cooler than Student Teacher, Right?

I have a student teacher this semester. This is my first experince with mentoring a student teacher, I am willing to learn, ready to guide and sort of nervous. She is 21, adorable and VERY timid. My students are 17-18...akward. I love her as a person and she is a smart cookie, but she is so freaking young looking I often think she is one of the students. She has no strength in her delivery and in the wild-west known as high school she needs to grab them in quick and hold the reins all semester (sorry for the horrible analogy...cheesy I know). I don't worry about her professionalism, she is a great...but her face turns red when they ask her "do like to party", I thought she would die when someone asked her "do you have a boyfriend".

She is not on her own yet, the semester just started and I have been teaching and planning all but one block; she is still using my plans. The cord will be cut in full next week. Yikes.

I have a hard time setting my students free, they are like my fake kids. I struggled with two maternity leaves...this will be an adventure. I don't think she will be bad, it is just touch and go on whether they will chew her up, spit her out and then set her on fire. She has to learn, right?

At least she hasn't been actually asked out or sexually harrassed yet, I can already see the boys are drooling over her. I will repeat...Yikes. I will be sure to write updates.

Ms. MacGyver to You

 Sit and spin as a table, Capri Sun box as a stunning hat and string cheese as a crayon...this kid can turn anything into a functional tool that will meet her momentary demand. I walked into the living room for this one last week, she looked at me and said "sit mama, sit and eat". She is a thinker that one.

Beyonce Jane

Miss Baylor Jane loves singing "Single Ladies" lately. I blame The Chipettes. It is funny and I've commented on it a few time over Facebook.

Well the bear took it to a whole new level this weekend. Wearing dress-up heels and nothing but a onesie, my girl was rocking out Beyonce style. It was glorious. I really need a Flip, this kid is tossing out gold lately.

Playing Stay-at-Home Mommy

I have always dreamed of staying at home with my kids full time. It is not going to happen, I HAVE to work for us to survive. I am working on coming to terms with that and I know that I am trying to be the best mommy I am created to be.

What I do love is long weekends and breaks. I get to "pretend" my only job is being mommy and I cherish it.

What I realized today...if I was a full-time SAHM I would be rail thin and maybe a more avid wine drinker.

Up and down the stairs, all around the house. I never sat down this weekend. Never. Today seemed extra crazy for some reason. Baylor was exceptionally wild.

I lost the rest of my two years and two babies worth of weight after an action packed summer off of -it came off  surprisingly quick. I chalked it up to my body getting back to normal, but then I realized it was from chasing after the girls for three months.

They wear me out. Anyhow, I love it and I wish I had more days at home with them. I am already looking forward to spring break and I can't wait for summer. My girls are certainly gifted with energy and imagination. I am not sure if I ever thought I would have low key children but, these ladies love to explore, ask a million and one questions and talk to everyone and anything they encounter.

When I take them grocery shopping with me I often think "hmmm, wouldn't it be nice if they just chilled out and walked along with me". Not a chance. The only nice thing is that they never really beg for things...I can't stand a "gimmie, gimmie" kid.

What I realize is that the very things that sometime wear me down are the gifts that will make them very well adjusted, creative and innovative thinking young ladies.

I just keep reminding myself of that when Baylor is painting the walls with chocolate frosting while signing loudly and Addison (my barely 3-year-old) has called my mom on my cell phone "just to chat".

MOPS...my mommy sorority

I am in love with my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. I had wanted to join a few years ago and then my church added an evening meeting group this year,  I was so excited to join. My first night I leaned over to my table leader and whispered "this is like a sorority for mommies". It is fantastic.

Anyhow, I was thinking about fellowship today and community and I really enjoy the company of the mothers in my group. It is just wonderful to have the support and the topics at our meetings are always enjoyable.

I am thankful to be a part of it. I look forward to growing in faith and friendship with the ladies at the red table and the rest of the mommies in our little 6-8:40 "night out".

If you are unfamiliar with MOPS you should check it out and see if there is a group in your area.

Dispicable Me, Thank you

I am now watching Despicable Me for the 15th time since Christmas...it has not gotten old. In fact, I really want the soundtrack. Good lesson, amusing plot, hilarious voices (I heart Steve Carell) and Pharrell in charge of the soundtrack is pretty sweet too.

If you are a parent, or someone around children often, you will totally understand the joy of finding a children's movie that entertains you as much as them. We once had a two week run where Addison was obsessed with Alvin and The Chipmunks:The Squeakuel. I don't want to talk about that very dark period in my life. I can still hear "Single Ladies", as sung by the Chipettes, in my dreams and it gives me the chills.

Needless to say I am very thankful for Despicable Me.

I Did it! I Did it!

     In the words of Ms. Dora El Explorer "I did it". I have wanted to hang this niffty display up in the girls room for easily 7 months.
     The amount of art work Addison makes is out of control and there has not been a proper way to display it other than the fridge for quite some time. The kid is a non-stop craft machine. She loves to color, which is cool because Baylor Jane loves to eat crayons. Such a team.
     Anyhow, I got this simple idea and then kept forgetting to buy the supplies. Then I remembered to buy them over the holidays, but kept forgetting to hang it up. Finally, I got motivated and learned we were out of nails.
     Almost a year later...Ta da!!!

I am proud. Not so much of my artistic talent, simply that I can cross something off of my "to do" list.



Addison loves to say good night to each of her "masterpieces". It is odd, but sweet at the same time.

Slowly but surely people, total organization is near.

Get a Hobby!

I have never had a real hobby. No, really. I like to run, I love basketball and most sports in general...I just never have had a real honest to goodness "hobby".

Now I do! Yay for me, right? I am positive that I am the only person that cares about this new hobby, though Addison is excited to be a "posing model"

I finally got the camera of my dreams and I am in love!

I am also going a bit nuts-o. I have been taking shots like crazy, reading up when I should be grading and asking professionals a million questions.

I have a new lens on the way (50 mm 1.4) and my new Photoshop Elements 9 should be installed by the weekend (can't guarantee I will have any idea how to use it  any time soon).

Here is my first and fav shot of Addison. There is a small problem, the worlds most annoying shoe. Somehow, Ryan's shoe snuck its way into a least 15 shots. I have a lot to learn.



She is really into tights with boots these days. She is my little fashion girl. It is nature not nurture with this one!

I have a ridiculous amount of Baylor Jane too, but the kid has had the constant runny nose. I have way more shots of that kids snot than I will ever need and I am not ready to share her cold with the public:)

I think the best part of having a hobby, especially one that my girls think is entertaining, is that I feel creative again. With the exception of little art projects around the house and stuff at school I feel so boring. This is actually a chance to awaken the artsy-schmartsy me that has been dormant for quite some time.

I think I really have found a way to freeze my baby girls in time...sort of.

The Phoenix?

New post, new name, working on a new look... it is possible that this blog may be rising from the ashes!

I am feeling motivated and really ready to write.

Blurg...non-sensical grumble of the day.

I don't like feeling insecure. I don't like feeling judged. I am very aware I am not perfect and I am at a constant battle in my own head on how to better and fix the things that I am sure bother other people. I am the most vulnerable as a mother so please don't kick me when I am down, I only try to be the world to the little girls that are the world to me and I have never once pretended that I was perfect at it. In fact I only wish my wins or failures could help others.

I don't like when people don't like me (I don't lose sleep over it, but it is just a sucky feeling) and I really don't like that the few places I should feel free to be open I can not. We are all imperfect, I don't need others to remind me of my own. I can do that quite well on my own-thank you.

I sort of feel better. I almost don't care anymore, almost.

Random useless movie quotes

They make me giggle. I like the movie, I like the quotes. It is far more interesting to mock the apocolypese (Shaun of the Dead is another fav) ...and you are welcome.

Little Rock: [playing Monopoly] Oh, free parking!
Wichita: Which, coincidentally, is the best thing about Zombieland.
Wichita: No... the best thing about Z-land, no Facebook status updates. You know, "Rob Curtis is gearing up for Friday." Who cares?
Tallahassee: The best thing is no more flushing. Epic.



Columbus: Are you one of those guys who has to constantly 'one-up' everyone else? Tallahassee: Hell, no! I knew a guy once who was a lot worse at that than me.

Random Movie Review

Just watched finally watched this. I am so behind on my list of movies to see and I have been dying to see this since last year.

Hilarious! I heart Woody Harrelson and he did not let me down. I especially appreciate the outstanding use of Bill Murry and all things Ghostbuster related.

Overall, I might just buy this.

teamwork

I am sitting here taking a break from laundry listening to my two mischievous little ones over the baby monitor. I desperately need them to take a nap today, they know this...it is not going as well as most days.

They share a room and we have "successfully" gotten them to take naps and go to bed together. Honestly, not a single problem; until today.

Today, they have decided to change the rules. As the baby monitor gives me a peek into what these little monkeys are doing instead of napping like angels, I am not sure I enjoy what I am hearing.

Teamwork.

From the day we brought Baylor home there has been growing evidence that these two are joining their powers for evil, but today I think they have fully realized that working together will surely give mommy a mental breakdown.

Sample conversation from 2 minutes ago: "Baylor...start yelling. Mommy wants us to sleep, I don't want to sleep. She'll get you, I will run".

Really? Did I just hear that? Baylor responded by laughing and then she started to yell "momma, momma". When I didn't go up to their room Addison said "ah, man...shes not coming. what will we do. JUMP!" They are currently jumping on their beds...I am so annoyed I might just go up there, but I am pretty sure I don't want to be outsmarted by an almost 3 year old and a 1 year old.

Everyone wants their kids to be brilliant and I happen to believe that every single child has a special gift that they are outstanding at. I used to think that Addison was gifted with communication/compassion and that Baylor was our mechanical/spacial little one...I now beg to differ. They are both evil geniuses that are plotting to take over the world.

I just heard Baylor giggle manically and I think Addison just mumbled something about uranium 235 and world domination. Visions of Pinky and the Brain are flashing through my head.

"Tanks"

Baylor is stepping up her vocabulary (a slow start thanks to chatty big sister Addison never giving her a need) and has added about 10 words in the last two weeks. She is now saying "tanks". I love that sweet little voice, it is so nice to get a thanks from a baby. It melts my heart.

Also, I would like to proudly say she has added "Baylor Bear" to her repertoire. Sounds more like Bay Brrr, but she is pretty proud and cute when she says it.

My favorite of the week is "I". We're working with Addison on using the alphabet and word recognition, this has led to Baylor being obsessed with the letter "I". All letters are "I" and she giggles each time. Yesterday she walked around the house with the letter c/cat card and just screamed "I" (then meowed...equally funny). You just have to hear her say it, she is a quirky and independent minded little one for sure.

The Three Amigos

I have never been really shy about going in public alone with the girls and they are a challange to balance since they both walk ( run and explore the heck out of EVERYTHING is more adequate), but I have been logical and cautious as to where one person can take two little persons with lots of energy and immagination. The majority of the time I have my co-pilot Ryan and we have such a system it is sort of impressive. I didn't realize how good it was until he wasnt around and I was standing around waiting and confused for someone to hand me the backpack or put on the girls shoes. Auto pilot is creepy.

With Ry's new job I now am the lone ranger from the hours of 2:30pm-sometimes 3:30am. I am pretty surprised that I have embraced this head on and I think it is really working for the girls too. We have adventured to more grocery stores, public pools, theaters, libraries and resturants than we have since Baylor has been born. I am still a little shaky on the "run" factor...Immagination Station was definetly only possible because my good friends shared the load and I mainly just worry about stranger danger.

I am not saying I am a fan of a zone defense, I much prefer man-to-man in coaching and in parenting, but I think it is actually causing the girls to behave better, rely on each other and grow trust.

My sweet little Addison is now very good at getting into the car, buckling her steat belt and then doing it all in reverse when we arrive. I am more than melecholy that she gets out on her own and shuts the door, but I certainly wished she could have done all these things when Baylor was first born. The anxiety and helplessness are still so fresh in my memory.

I also really love that she helps Baylor put her shoes on too. Once again, this is the girl that would climb book shelves while I was trying to nurse Baylor. Super Big Sis to the rescue.

Anyway, I hate that Ryan is at work and I will really hate when I am back to work full-time...but we are doing pretty darn good with this new arrangment. The oldest of four, my parents didnt take us out much. I have never blamed them for this, they werent insane:) I just like that I am now comfortable going on multi-kid adventures. I am not stating that I enjoy taking a 2 1/2 year old and a 1 year old to the grocery store. You suddenly realize how much crap the stores have hanging at toddler height AND Addison needed to go to the bathroom (any public restrooms are gross with kids). She was easy, distracting Baylor in the stall while Addison peed was the hard part!

It just feels nice to not feel stuck in the house because your usual teammate is at work.

We wanted our babies close for all the good reasons and we certainly were in denial enough not to be prepared for how hard it actually is. Every time you get comfortable with a stage of development they change. A prime example: Baylor learning to walk, that was a curve ball I should have seen coming. Not so nice when sweet baby isn't chilling in the stroller-that kid wants to RUN.

In all, today was another good day and I realized that as my babies are learning and growing as children I am doing the same as a mom. My reflex's are getting super strong and I think the eyes are starting to grow in the back of my head.

Everyday is a new day, I sort of wish they wrote one of those What to Expect books....What to Expect Each Morning You Wake Up A Mommy.

More Than Enough

I'm elbow deep in this book and it is not letting me down. Amazing thoughts and very spiritually driven. Still on the road to tossing aside the norms of the "modern culture" and rework our financial philosophy, this book is far more about integrity, giving with your spiritual gifts and setting a foundation for moral and hardworking children. Good stuff.

Still my #1 Insomniac Outlet

My current "I can't sleep because Ryan is not home" outlet is AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com. I will always be a PostSecret fan and I love the best of Youtube, but I am sort of hooked on this hilarious web page.

Do I really need to explain how awesome this is?

Sniffle of the Week

The playdates with Makayla and Addison have changed way more than my heart has been prepared for. I am not doing very well lately with my kids getting older. I think it is because Addison is just getting so self sufficient and the whole potty training was far more depressing than helpful (hey, but she still needs me to wipe her butt...I am still needed!) My friend Jodie does not make it easier by sending me a ton of old photos from some of the girls first few playdates.

This was their first playdate. Addison is around 2 months old. This was this past Friday and I am pretty sure I am going to be the mom that cries at every landmark and everyone in our family knows I save EVERYTHING.

I know it is gross, but I even saved her dried umbellica cord stump and even the pregnancy tests I took. Don't judge me-I'm "sentimental" (my loving husband affectionatly calls me a neurotic horder).

Her first day of school will for sure be a pinnacle moment in my line of mental breakdowns, I don't want to even think about Baylor...shes not allowed to grow up period.

Free time...

Ryan's new job is 2nd shift, which is a very odd shift; 3pm-11:30pm. He has been working overtime too and not getting home until about 4 am. Naturally, instead of sleeping I lay awake and play on the Internet. I've read 2 books in a week and I have been doing most of my fall lesson planning at summer school. So, that results in many more blog posts.

Today I introduce to you a gold nugget that I discovered late last night: akwardfamilyphotos.com AND akwardfamilypetphotos.com. The photos are hilarious, but the comments are even funnier. I already picked two out that I am using for writing prompts in the fall. I hope you enjoy a few of my favs:

Playdate with Miss Makayla

My good friend Jodie has a little girl a few months older than Addison and they are the best of buds. We have been getting them together since Addison was around 3 months (that was a really boring play date).

We had a great play date today and Jodie takes the most beautiful photos. Baylor is getting to the age where she is getting involved with the big girls more and they were just little fishies in the pool. Overall another blessed and beautiful day!