Our New World

I've been working for a grand total of 3 days now. It's going well... I have this week to prepare and get my room ready, and then next Monday, THE STUDENTS ARRIVE!!

I'm ready. It's going to be great. The kids are excited, I am excited... I'm ready to get started.

My own children have handled the transition well. They have gotten up earlier than usual and have not complained. Even Grace has taken the change without complaint. She is excited to get to spend more time with her Ju Ju.

The hardest thing for me has been wearing "professional" clothes and shoes... I have worn nothing but jeans and sweats for ELEVEN YEARS. My feet are missing their tennis shoes!! :-)

Keep saying prayers. Pray that the kids handle the transition well. Pray that I handle the transition well! ha ha!! Pray for peace of mind. Pray a lot!! :-)

Grace

Once upon a time, I had a precious baby girl. She was BEAUTIFUL. I love babies... I would have had a dozen if they would have just stayed small... instead, they keep growing up on me!!

Today is my "baby's" birthday. She used to look like THIS...
...but now she looks like THIS!
Still beautiful, but OH! So BIG! It hurts my heart!! Miss Gracie turned 5 today, and celebrated in true Gracie style... she chose to go to Waco with just our little family this afternoon. We went to the movies to see the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" movie, and then had dinner at her favorite restaurant... the Hibachi place!! It was REALLY good.

SO, Happy Birthday to my baby. I love you so much, Grace. I hope you had a WONDERFUL day!!!

Changes...

For the past eleven years, I have been a "stay-at-home" mom. I have loved it. I have loved being able to be at home with my babies and playing with them and loving them. But, you know, a funny thing happens with those babies... no matter how hard you try to keep them little, they grow up. In September, my littlest baby will be starting Kindergarten!

In my LBK (life before kids), I was a teacher. And, most days, I liked it. And, not to toot my own horn, but I was pretty good at it. SO... when I found out that our local elementary school was planning on adding another 2nd grade teacher, I stepped out of my little "stay-at-home mom" box, and applied for the job. And, I got it. I start on Monday.

My interview for this job was on January 27, 2010. EXACTLY 11 years ago TO THE DAY, January 27, 1999, was the last day I worked. Serendipity, don't you think????

Wish me luck. It is going to be a HUGE change for me, and an even bigger change for my little family!! But I am OH, SO READY for this change!!

Kate

Today my Kate turns eleven years old. How did this happen? When did she start looking like this? She's so grown up.She should still look like this. Shouldn't she?
Happy Birthday to my biggest one. I love you so much, Kate, and I hope your day is as special as you are!!!

Cold-Hearted...

So, a few days ago I run into Maurice's (my favorite little store for quick bargain clothes), because they have a big SALE sign in the window, and, luckily, I found a few quick things that I just had to have.

The sales associate who was helping me could not have been more than 16 or 17... I mean, seriously, I could EASILY have been her mother. I'm just saying...

She was ringing up my purchases, and was trying to ask me if I was a CARD-HOLDER at Maurice's...

But, instead she got all tongue-tied, and it came out, "Are you cold-hearted?"

The manager stopped what she was doing and turned around and gave her the strangest look... my little teenager who was helping me turned beet red and started stumbling over herself apologizing and trying to tell me what she was trying to say, and I busted out laughing. It was SO funny!!! I told her that my husband has been asking me that for years!! She was mortified, but my the end, we were all laughing, and I think even the manager realized that it was all OK, and hopefully the little teenager didn't get in trouble...

SO, just call me cold-hearted... obviously, it shows! ha ha!!

THE PARTY GIRL

Yesterday, I left Grace at home with The Fabulous JU JU while I went into town to run a few errands and pick up the girls from school. After school, Kate had basketball practice, so I was gone for several hours. I could tell when I was leaving that Grace was starting to get restless... Lately she has been getting "bored" at home. So, I was a tad concerned that she would be REALLY "whiny" while I was gone.

When I finally made it back home with all the other girls, Grace met us at the door and announced that we were all invited to a "Valentine's Birthday Party." She was SO excited... she had "fancied" herself all up, and had even chosen costumes for the other girls! She had also "decorated" the living room, and she had activities planned, as well.

We told her that Mom needed to cook dinner, and that the older girls had to do homework. She was crushed, and began to cry because nobody was coming to her "party". Finally we convinced her that we should wait until after dinner, because then her Daddy could come to the party. She finally agreed.

When her Daddy got home, she didn't even allow him time to eat... we had to begin the party immediately. Luckily, the older girls really were quite nice and played right along... they kindly put on their costumes and participated like little champs.

FIrst Gracie performed a little dance for us...
... and then the girls had to have a scooter race around the living room (in full costume.) Abby was a bunny,
...and Kate was Minnie Mouse.
Luke and I had things we had to do, as well. Luke had to wear a little blue hat, and I had to sing along with a stuffed dragon who was singing "Hot Stuff." I know you are glad we DIDN'T get that one on video! ha!

Grace was so proud of herself and her party, and happily helped to clean up her "decorations" when we announced the party was over.

It's crazy around here, people, but it's a good kind of crazy. We ALL had fun at our little impromptu party, which was planed by the best "party planner" around... the Mighty Miss Grace!! :-)

Thankful Thursday...

Today I am so thankful for my friends and family. They make my life so much richer EVERY SINGLE DAY.

So, if haven't told you lately, thanks.

For all you do.

And just for being there and making me laugh and smile!!

Love, B.

Wordless Wednesday

Basketball '10

Basketball season is in full swing now... Abby's team had their second game this morning, and Kate's team had their first game. Neither team was victorious, but they both played good, solid games. Abby's team played SSSSOOOOOOOOOO much better... they didn't even look like the same team!!! They only lost by 2 points. I could not have been prouder of them. Kate's team made a good showing, as well. Kate has improved so much from last year. She even drove the ball to the goal a couple of times (which doesn't sound impressive, but for her, it's a HUGE improvement!!)

They agreed to pose for photos when we got back home today to show off their swanky new uniforms.

Kate is #2 on The Stingers...
...and Abby is #1 on the Pink Panthers.


Even if they didn't come out on top today, they are the CUTEST little b-ballers I have ever seen!! Go Teams, and Yay for Basketball Season!!

Final Update...

Just a quick update about the Pioneer Woman and her efforts...

She ended up with 25, 850 comments by noon today. So, she gave a dime for every comment, which totaled up to $2585.00. Her original plan was to divide that amount between the top three charities that were mentioned in her comments. However, she decided that because the need is so great, she she would give $2585.00 to EACH of those three charities. Amazing!!! The top three charities mentioned that will be getting those donations are: Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and Compassion International.

She also chose two comments at random, and is sending $500 to each of those charities. Those winners are Yele Haiti and Catholic Relief Charities.

I am so humbled by this woman's generosity. Thanks to the Pioneer Woman, and God Bless the people of Haiti.