A Diversion--Baby Shopping

I'm blogging about baby shopping as a diversion to my racing thoughts about my kiddos taking their big reading and math TAKS tests the next couple of days. We could really use your prayers on Tuesday for math and Wednesday for reading. We have worked hard...the kids, me, support staff. Now, it just needs to all come together! I'm really tired. Micah helped me start getting our flower bed ready yesterday (man, it was much easier years before...those core muscles are vital!). I came in from outside one tired girl, and then woke up at 3 in the morning with Braxton Hicks. Man, those can be painful!

On Saturday, Micah and I went to register at Target. I let him have the gun. At one point, he asked, "Does everything have to be pink?" I do like other colors in the spectrum. I just really like pink. I also registered at Pottery Barn Baby...I could one of everything in there! So now, I'm set. I've been asked over and over if I've registered so now I can say, "Yes!"

Here are some other fun baby websites I've been drooling over for all those that love looking at baby websites!

Church/Festive attire
http://www.strasburgchildren.com/shop/infants.asp

All sorts of fun stuff here!
http://www.annabean.com/

Possible diaper bag I'm looking at...nice and neutral for mommy and daddy.
http://www.monogramshophouston.com/store/viewItem.asp?idproduct=133&cat=8056#

Much love,

The Produce Aisle

Caroline at 29 weeks is now the size of a squash...or so says one of the weekly emails I receive letting me know what should be happening and to expect. As for me, I am working with two cantaloupes and a watermelon. I won't elaborate any further as you might have already figured that one out.

Rain, rain finally went away. Sunshine was finally BACK today! Thank goodness! I had a pretty rotten day on Friday at school. I was glad to have a really full weekend. It started by attending MOPS or Mothers of Preschools. They let me attend. I call myself a Pre-Mop and soak in all the advice and good laughs. Most are my friends and around my age. We had a guest speaker about gardening. I could have sat for hours listening to her speak. I could have asked a million questions. I LOVED it! After that, I earned bonus wife points by attending the Tech Spring Game. Normally, I would have been quite excited to attend. However, it was pretty chilly. By mid-April, I'm over being cold. OVER IT! Stick a fork in me, I'm done! Then, heartburn stuck after I had a delicious hamburger. Followed by projectile vomit. Now, if that doesn't take your mind off of TAKS stress, I don't know what will. Man, this new heartburn business is the "pits." Whew! I seriously wondered if I was going into labor. I started having Braxton Hicks last week pretty mild. But when you couple gas and heartburn with it, I seriously wondered if we needed to turn around and make a pit stop at UMC. Several hours later and many bathroom visits later, all was well. I even woke up at the crack of dawn ready for church. After church we had lunch with friends and then Karli came over with Reagan for an afternoon visit. After some cleaning and a surprise snow cone from Kim, I'm now in bed typing away almost ready for bedtime!

And, a prayer request. I just ask that you you would pray for peace for my job and students during the TAKS season, peace for our home sale, peace in my sleep, and in general peace. I have been generally feeling overwhelmed. I go along life fine for about a week, but about once a week, fear comes all over me. Fear of the unknown. I could make excuses about wanting to nest and plan, but I know God is working for the good. So, I ask for the prayer of peace.

Much love,

Seven Months

I have reached the third trimester! Yippee!!! Caroline has been moving A LOT in my tummy. I relish it. I am now at the point where I try to wear a dress everyday...so much more comfortable and nonbinding! And, the great thing is that so many of them are not maternity just with an empire waist which will be great as I take baby weight off after Miss Caroline makes her arrival. Speaking of which, my sister, Karli called earlier in the week to let me know she's made it back to her size four clothes after having a baby last June. I'm sitting looking at those sizes in brightly colored shorts and skirts in the drawers thinking, "I wonder if that will ever fit again." She's lost her baby weight twice. Really, I'm not too stressed about it. It's just something I see often as I open my drawers and closet and try to figure out what to wear. Until then, keep growing Miss Caroline!


If I had any pride left, I just lost another morsel of it today. I was wearing a little dress, and I went to pick up Micah's dry cleaning after work. I'm walking out of the cleaners on the main street in town, and a gust of wind came along and blew up my dress. My whole tail end was exposed to the store. Luckily, I had his clothes covering my front. Spring in West Texas.

Micah has to have a professional photo made for the new gig this week. I asked him what kind of smile he thought he was going to give. He was being serious when he gave this smile that he doesn't normally do. I just laughed and said, "Really?" So now, it's become quite the joke around the house. Did you ever see the Friends episode where Chandler kept ruining the pictures because of his smile? It's like that. He's purposefully making these ridiculous smiles around the house. I tried to get him to let me take pictures to show y'all how funny he's being. The best way I can describe it--a mischievous rat looking for cheese. He refused. I suppose his pride is still in tact. And, he's smile will be beautiful tomorrow. I love the laughing until you have to wipe tears from your eyes.

Reproduction in the neighborhood. We have rabbits all around. They have had a fruitful year. I like them...really cute! Now, as for the cat that was in heat and woke me up a couple of nights ago...go away. Super creepy. I don't like your kind. Go away. Not much longer before the frogs begin to make their appearance.

Much love,

Week 27 Updates

I went in for a sonogram yesterday. Love hearing her sweet heartbeat. Good and strong at 155 beats a minute. She was even moving a bit during the sonogram. Her arms and hands were up by her face. After I asked, "Is she still a girl?" And saw clear confirmation that she was a little girl I went and ordered a pretty girly crib.

Sleeping is becoming challenging. I have been having weird, vivid dreams lately. Last night, I dreamed that a bird with a giant, wide beak was poking out the eyes of Sissy Bouche, our family Boston Terrier. Dodger was outside, too, but had yet to have his eyes gouged out. I woke up totally freaked out and had trouble going back to sleep. I also have had a couple of dreams about just being an incredibly frazzled, incompetent parent. Scary. I am about to push Micah out of bed with all the pillows surrounding and supporting me from rolling here and there. I'm not quite as snuggly anymore with all of the extra propping here and there. My center of gravity is also changed. Getting up out of bed is more like a rolling over and out. Sitting straight up from a lying position is hard. I didn't know how much we use our core muscles.

Then, last night another home showing. I think that was the 8th or 9th.

Much love,

The Trees are in Bloom

I love this warming trend. Trees are in bloom. Ahhhh! So great. Maybe the last of the snow and ice is over.

I'm not really in a bloggy kind of mood so I think I'll just list.

a. Today at work someone left fun Parenting magazines in my mailbox. How thoughtful. I got home and the corner was dogeared for an article titled "Mama Sutra." Maybe they read it? Maybe they think I need a little somethin', somethin'. It made me smile. And, don't you love thoughtful people?

b. Going for a sonogram tomorrow. I love, love, love the sonograms. I love seeing her. I can't wait to see how much she's grown in the last seven weeks.

c. Caroline has been kicking and squirming around quite a bit in my tummy. What a fabulous feeling. I don't even mind it in the middle of the night. In fact, I lie awake to keep feeling her move.

d. Speaking of her kicking, the first time I saw her moving through my clothes was during Easter service. Really. I kept thinking about new life and how Jesus gave us life everlasting. Then, tears. I had previously been crying at the top of the service after I opened the program and Micah's parents had a special Easter lily for "the promise of Caroline Grace." Precious.

e. Speaking of tears, I cried at the Roloff's Big World graduation ceremony last night. Really? I cry, a lot. I try to contain it to my home.

f. I also go potty...frequently. So glad that I'm only across the hall from the faculty bathroom.

g. Three weeks from TAKS.

h. Dodger has gone to Midland for a vacation with Mitch and Sherry. I miss his evening cuddles, but I know it makes showing the house much easier so I don't have to run home and fetch him. It really is a huge help and one less thing to have to think about.

i. Wasn't Easter beautiful? We spent it in Midland. Great company and food, but a brief visit.

Much love,

A Wild Week

Wow! It's been one of those weeks, where I look back and think...man, whew, glad God gave me grace to make it through. Five weeks until the math and reading TAKS, and we've got a lot of work to do to get all of our minds at ease. That means only nine or ten more weeks until summer! Wednesday night I left with my three other fourth grade team members to Austin for a Verbalizing and Visualizing reading conference on Thursday and Friday. We had flight delays on every single flight we had to board due to crazy wind and rain. The conference was chalk full of information, but man, our heads were spinning at the end of the days. Unfortunately, we had some terrible shopping experiences. We cleaned up in Houston this summer so we were pretty disappointed in our findings. I suppose since I'll be hitting my third trimester in a couple of weeks, that's my last plane trip for awhile. On Friday, I had trouble getting on my wedding ring and my feet were swelling. Saturday I basically lounged around and slept all day out of sheet exhaustion. Sunday I woke up and began rapid fire cleaning for an open house we had today. Apparently, we had a great turnout. While the open house was going on, we went to Amarillo and got Dodger from my parents. It's so wonderful to hear the pitter-patter of his feet around the house makes it feel like home again! So now Micah is having dinner with an old friend and I'm resting up for a week that includes rapid fire teaching, a glucose tolerance test, and another house showing.

Much love,

These are My Confessions

Ready, deep breath in, deep breathe out. In, out, in, out. Here is a list of things going on in my head.

1. After six viewings of our house in the last 10 days, can someone please make an offer on our house? It's clean. I promise, you won't find anything nicer in this price range. I've already stalked houses for you. I looked at a LOT of green shag carpet and sparkle popcorn ceiling homes when we are looking for homes here. This house has neither.
2. I resigned from my job. My job is listed on the Plainview ISD job board. I'm not bilingual. They just need someone who is. That officially means no more reoccurring paychecks after August.
3. Speaking of jobs, I want to work at my old school, but someone is going to have to die or retire. No word yet, if either has happened. I kid on the first suggestion. Really, I'm not that twisted.
4. I miss Dodger Malouf. Dodger is taking a "vacation" with my parents in Amarillo. He wasn't too friendly with the realtor. Hence, a vacation.
5. Six and a half months pregnant and I'm still fitting in my matte jersey dresses. I'm on a mission for more Diane von Furstenburg looking dresses without the label nor the price tag. Stretch is a beautiful thing.
6. I'm so grateful that Micah has his dream job at this early in his career.
7. God has a plan.
8. My timing is not perfect. His is.
9. I'm really typing this to keep reminding myself.
10. So, here's what I would like. I'd like for my house to sell. I'd like to find a house before Caroline arrives. I'd like to work at my old school. I'd like to find a church we love as much as we do ours currently. I'd like to find some matte jersey wrap dresses that do not have the word maternity on the back of them so I feel okay about myself after July.

Much love,

Spring Break 2010

What a great break I've had! I feel like I've accomplished some things on my "to do" list which makes me feel like a winner. The break started off with weekend rest. My body really needs it after five full days of teaching the youth of America. Micah's mom, Sherry and his sister, Ashlee, invited me to join them on their shopping excursion in Dallas from Monday through Wednesday. I decidedly abandoned the sleet and landed in a greener land. OH, the biggest news is that we found Caroline's bedding. I really didn't plan on finding the bedding, but when we walked into this adorable store this quilt spoke to me. It said, "I'm cute, different, and SCREAM buy me!" So, I did. Then, off to Pottery Barn Baby where Sherry and Ashlee went wild quickly matching up bumper, skirt, wall decor, and sheets as a gift. I literally cried. I'm so excited to put Caroline in her bed. The bedding made it just a tad more real. Besides shopping, I ate like a pig and thus haven't stepped on the scale since and visited extended family. I also got a glimpse of spring as I saw green grass, tulips, and trees in bloom. It's around the corner, it's around the corner...

Off to Lubbock, where a birthday boy, Micah, awaited us after work to celebrate with food. Ate more (but, can I just say how excited I am to be incorporating salsa and chips back into my life!). Oh, and then we drove around with the Home Brigade (Sherry and Ashlee) and scoped out neighborhoods for us to live in Lubbock.

We have had our home up on the market for about a week and half and so far we had six separate appointments set up to come a look at our house. I think we are quite neat and tidy people, but really I've never vacuumed and wiped down counter tops so much in all of my life. In my spare time, I've cleaned out several closets and drawers. Pretty cathartic.

Oh, and I've been socially quite active. I'm loving this sixth month business. I feel REMARKABLY better.

Much love,

The Last 24 Weeks in Pictures

The night we found out I was pregnant we had been to our Wednesday night couples Bible study. I dragged myself off the couch absolutely exhausted (I actually remember writing on the blog how I felt like sleep wouldn't even help how tired I felt). I didn’t know why I was so tired. That week was also Red Ribbon week at school and that day happened to be pajama day at school besides that fact that I also was in my evaluation week window that particular week. Besides feeling like I was dragging my behind, I also wore my loungewear/pajamas to our Bible study. Micah literally looked at me and said, “You are wearing that?” I could’ve cared less. We went to the Bible study and my prayer request was that I just felt drained in all areas of my life. Really, I think I just was super hormonal and didn’t know it. We went home and knowing I was only a day late I took a pregnancy test. I didn’t really have my hopes up or “just know that I was” that month…I really just took it because I had one left over. In fact, Micah walked in while I was tinkling on the stick. His response was concerned since I always got my hopes up and each time they had been negative accompanied a feeling of defeat and disappointment. I waited the three minutes the box instructed to do so and after three minutes there were two lines—pregnant. We couldn’t believe it. In fact, Micah decided we immediately needed more tests. Off to Wal-Mart, where he went in and bought two more tests. Back home for two more tests. Two more positive results for us. I had this image in my head of how I would tell him we were pregnant, but when it was least expected…it happened. And, we sat and found out together.

The first five months I did a whole lot of this on weekends and after work. I was a hermit.


Micah has always drawn me the most precious pictures. Here's the latest.


People always ask how is Dodger taking the news. Dodger is well known and of course, very important. Really he has been great. He loves children and we are excited for him to have someone else to chase him around and throw his toys. However, the week before we found out we were pregnant, we went to see my sister, nieces and parents and Reece had her dolls out playing with them. We found this picture of Dodger "playing" with her dolls and we got a kick out of it. Yes, he's grabbing her by the neck.


Here's Caroline at 20 weeks.


22 weeks pregnant


24 weeks pregnant


Much love,

Yee-haw!

Yee-haw! I've made it to Spring Break...man, oh man I love a good break! I really feel bad for those reading this who don't have one. Really, I do. I don't have too much in the way of big news in this post. I will hit the six month pregnant mark this weekend. WOW! The first 18 weeks dragged by soooooo slowly and now that I'm feeling significantly better, it's flown right by. I have this picture in my living room of Micah and I on our wedding day. I sent it out as our first Christmas card as a married couple. I call it our "sexy picture." Our heads our together and we look so dreamy and I look so skinny. I really was thinking the other day, will I ever look like that again. I feel quite rotund. My kids at school will put their hands on my belly and they are amazed at how hard it is. Tonight Micah was talking to Caroline through my tummy and she was all about hearing him...she was kicking or maybe it was the Mexican food that she was excited about??? Goodnight, I'm tired!

Much love,

Thumpity Thump

Recently, Caroline has begun to kick me. Her kicks feel like tiny thumps. I love the feeling. All this movement reminds me that she is real and is really going to be greeting us in a few short months. This has me thinking about what will she look like, act like, and all those curious things I suppose most mommies-to-be dream about. Micah and I look and act pretty differently from each other. Will she have his olive complexion or will be fair skinned towheaded little one? Will she have an athletic bone in her body or will she be like me (seriously folks, I was in UIL music memory memorizing symphony movements and composers after school in 4th and 5th grade—does it get any nerdier?). Will she have Micah’s wit? Will she love Dodger as much as we do? These are just a few things running through my mind besides wondering if my innie belly button is going to stick out like a turkey timer any time soon.

Another thing running through my mind is purchasing the necessities. Besides some clothes I’ve received and a few odds and ends, I’ve bought nothing for her. I was going to wait until the 28 week mark when I go in for another sonogram just to make she that Caroline is a still a girl. I have this fear that even though the sonogram doctor and nurse were quite certain she was a little girl that suddenly it might appear not to be so when delivery comes. Boy or girl…we are thrilled either way. I just don’t want to spend a small fortune on all things frilly and fabulous and end up with a little boy. I know I’d end up laughing and not caring after seeing a healthy baby, but still…I need some help from fellow mommies, aunts, grandmommies. I think everyone knows more than I do. I need to know what I need. What are the absolute must haves? What was a total waste of money? Who’s your pediatrician? Tell me everything! I need to know it all. Email me, call me, facebook me, post here in the comments. I just need scoop!
This past weekend, the worker bees (Micah’s family) came to town to help prepare our house to be sold. They mowed, cleaned, and moved. What a great help! Seriously, I keep looking at how beautiful my toilet bowl looks! It’s always fun to have family come into town to visit.

Oh, and can I just mention how excited I am that writing TAKS is over and done with! I love writing, but teaching writing can be a laborious task to teach and grade! This means no more tutorials until after Spring Break, too. This week and last we are benchmarking on reading and math. And, oh, Spring Break…I love you. I mean, I really love you. You mean a few things to me: rest, a birthday boy is turning the big 2-8, the word spring is in your name which means warm weather is around the corner, flowers, and daylight savings time begins which means it will be lighter later!

Much love,

Changes in Latitude

I'm writing tonight to keep my mind occupied. My kids are taking the writing TAKS tomorrow and I'm a little on edge. It's filling up my mind space. I've never taught so much writing in all my life. Whew!

Well, as if posting that I'm over five months pregnant isn't enough for news, how 'bout this...we are moving to Lubbock. WOW! Totally unexpected (I opened a bank account for Caroline just a few weeks ago in town). Micah started a new job as the General Counsel of the Texas Tech University Foundation this week. Like all big, life changing decisions, we have had emotions all over the place about our new decision. Obviously, the job opportunity for Micah is a dream. He is truly the school's biggest fan. However, in his years practicing in private practice, he could not have asked to work for better people. He so values their mentorship and friendship. We really would have lived here forever had this opportunity not presented itself. For me, personally, I began to really feel invested here. I liked going into the bank and to the grocery store and seeing people I knew. Having grown up in a small town, living in Plainview brought back memories of my childhood. We are going to miss the new friendships we have made here and our church, but again, we are excited to see what God has in store for us in Lubbock. So to our Lubbock friends and coworkers, hope to see you soon!

Much love,

The First 21

Halfway there! My, oh, my…what a ride this pregnancy business has taken me on. I really didn’t think I would be so protective with this little bit of news, but somewhere, my Mama Bear self came out and just wanted to tell people in person. It wasn’t necessarily a secret, it just was more like…not a broadcast.

How’s the baby?
Baby Malouf is a girl. We are naming her Caroline Grace. I have loved this name for ages. In fact, I had let my family and friends know that this was my name and off limits. Poor Micah, we weren’t very far into dating when I told him my baby names. I knew I was going to marry him after the first few dates so why not go ahead and send him over the edge! Caroline is adorable. She is weighing in at 11 ounces and measuring right on target for the 20 week mark. We went for the anatomy sonogram; I am amazed at all of the technology. We viewed the stomach, bladder, kidneys, brain, bones, and face. Caroline is quite an active one from watching her on the monitor and listening through the Doppler, although I haven’t been able to feel all of the movement yet.

How am I?
Let’s put it this way…I used to want four children. I still would love to have four children. Now, being pregnant four times…not so much. At one point, I was hoping that I would be pregnant with twins—a boy and a girl so this being pregnant business would be it for me. Needless to say, for me, it’s been a little rough.

I have a high level of progesterone. This is great for the baby (which is really wonderful and anytime I am sick, I just think of that!). Now the extra progesterone for me means, excessive vomiting, fainting, dizziness and blemishes. Pretty hot, huh?

I am just now regaining an appetite. I felt like the first 16 weeks, I force fed myself. All I thought about was how not to vomit or vomiting itself. The last few weeks, I have been HUNGRY! I had lost about 10 pounds (I think some of it was simply not drinking cokes!), but now all of that’s back on plus three extra pounds thanks to milkshakes and my deep love for BLTs. It really is nice to want to eat again!

Everyone has asked me about cravings. I seriously have craved water, fruit, baked potatoes, and most recently, a cherry lime as I drive home from work. I am grossed out by the Olive Garden commercials with their heavy cream sauces being poured over shrimp. I normally love Italian food, but, I decided that is out for the time being, too. I have avoided restaurants for the most part. Slowly, I’m beginning to enter them. I figured no one wants to see anyone sick while they are eating. I’m considering this a favor to all restaurant patrons. This is Lent season and we have lots of “fish Fridays” in the school cafeteria coming up…ick. Cafeteria fish and broccoli is bad news for my sniffer! I often will hear Micah eating in the kitchen, and I’ll ask him what he’s eating and his response has become, “You don’t want to know.” That basically sums up how I have felt about most foods.

How’s Micah been with this big news?
GREAT! I could not ask for him to be more supportive. He goes to the grocery store for me since the deli section grosses me out. He warms up my car in the morning since the change in temperature really bothers me. He even has changed his deodorant to unscented, since scented items set me into a tizzy these days. I have heard of men having these “meltdowns” with all the new thoughts of responsibility….so far, so good. If anything, he’s been my support. He’s held back my hair, made me countless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sliced apples, fetched medicine, etc., etc. I really have seen his servant heart open up to Caroline and me over the course of the last 21 weeks. He really reminds me of what I love about how my dad treats my mom. I cannot say enough nice things about Micah; I cannot imagine having another person in this with me!

Much love,

God's Richest Blessing (our most exciting post!!!)

Micah and I are so thrilled to announce that on July 4, 2010 we will be adding a new addition to our family. We are expecting a baby girl. We are planning to name her Caroline Grace. I am twenty weeks along and excitedly waiting to meet this precious gift God has entrusted us with. I will write about the journey thus far to catch everyone up and will continue to let everyone know how we are doing. Thank you for the prayers over the last year in this process. Our cup truly runneth over.

Much love,

Thoughts from a lazy Sunday

1. Had to buy a new washer this week. Did you know that the transmission on your washer can break? Did you know that your washer can spit oil out, too? Apparently so. Glad for savings so I can have some clean towels and panties. I was stressing by Friday for clean ones!
2. Taxes. Again, so grateful to have savings. Thankful for great jobs. But c'mon, can a dog be claimed for anything???
3. My toilet still smells. I bought stain remover even though I clean the thing. I made Micah go scrub since I'm not getting rid of it. I hope I don't have to buy a new pot, too!
4. I went to UMC to meet the newest Plainview town member...Eric Holloway. I hope I look that great after having a baby. As scared as I am holding that tiny of a baby, he was yummy. I could stare for hours!
5. Karli, Reece and Reagan came to visit us yesterday. Reagan giggled as usual. Reece went into my closet and found all the pink shoes she could and wore a pair home. She is so curious and keeps me on my toes with the things she says...speaking of which, she doesn't quit talking...my dad calls her ratchet-jaw (sp) for good reason!
6. Attended a Tech basketball game against OU with the Phillips' family. Great win for Tech! Ate Chick-fil-a. Can you move to Plainview? Plleeeeease! See I'm trying to re-enter socialization!
7. Tutorials begin this week. This year, for free. Darn. I really liked that extra cash last year!
8. Again, another tremendously blessed week!

Much love,

First post of 2010

I have received several messages encouraging me to update this blog. First, I am actually surprised that anyone would want to read this, but humbled that people care about what I have to say. I suppose I'll update everyone a bit from the last time I wrote.

In no order:

1. Micah played a shepard this year in the FBC Christmas play. I wish I could tell you how great his theatrics were, but I got sick before both performances. I'm certain he did a great job!

2. School is back in full swing. I have a sweet, caring class this year. It is a trying time of year with the state testing and one stressed teacher. I am trying not to bring home stress with me, but that is hard when you dream at night and wake up thinking about school. Today, in the shower, I caught myself thinking about TAKS benchmarking. The T-word is my bad word. Last year, after the test...the word was banned from my class until when I shared the results and we hugged and cried! I just ready for those happy tears already; I could easily skip all the stress!

3. This year we got quite a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. It kept us snowed in from going to Amarillo that day, but we made it in Christmas Day to share the day with my family. We came back to Plainview on the 26th to share the day with Micah's family. We were very, very blessed by both of our families both in spending time together and spoiled by the presents, too.

4. This Christmas season I really thought quite a lot about Mary, Jesus' mother. I reflected on what it was like to be her...pregnant, unwed, carrying the Son of God. I wondered how people treated her. I have no answers on this subject. It really is something I would be curious to study.

5. For New Years, we traveled to the Alamo Bowl with Ashlee and Jason. What a game! Our players played with so much heart. It has been a wild ride for our Red Raiders. I hope this new era of Tech football is met with open minds.

6. No more Honda Rhonda! After driving nothing but a Honda Accord (all have which have been named Rhonda...I even I have a song..."Help me Rhonda, help, help me Rhonda, help me Rhonda, yeah, keep me truckin' along"...you know the tune of the Beach Boys song...I'm a cheese ball!) since I was sixteen years old, I got rid of her in lieu of having zero car payment. Now, I drive Dora the Explorer after a swap with Micah and Mitch on Micah's truck for Mitch's third car. I think we got the better end of the deal! Thanks Mitch!

7. I would have pictures, but our new camera broke so we sent it off to the camera headquarters to get fixed. Maybe one day I'll make a splash with some photos!

8. Finally, I know I've been somewhat absent from my social settings lately. I promise I'll return. I'm not trying to be a hermit!

Much love,

Hello, Blog!

Three weeks? Three whole weeks. I'm sorry I've neglected you, Little Blog. I've had a busy three weeks. I've been consumed with things that took me away from you.

Since we last talked, I went to Granbury, Texas (a very cute town) and had Thanksgiving with some of Micah's family. It was a delicious feast. I quite like turkey. I have much to be grateful for. My heart is full. I am an immensely blessed person by none other than my Savior. I have the promise of everlasting life, a husband that loves me more than I can fathom, a family that surrounds us with love, friends that support us, Dodger who makes a frown turn upside down, and a job that reminds me that I love to learn and reminds me what a fortunate person I am.

Speaking of work, I have been teaching multiplication and division. Two and three digit multiplication and long division. I'm glad a two week Christmas break follows multiplication and division. Slow and steady wins the race. I have a sweet class that is working really hard.

Just a quick pop in to say, "Hello, I'm still here!"

Much love,

A Newsworthy Fieldtrip

First, thanks for the suggestions on the vacuum and toilet. I had Micah helping me with housework on Sunday and he also agrees that our vacuum has succumb to Dodger's hair. I suppose that will be on my wish list.

As for the title, last month my classroom kiddos and I, along with the other fourth grade teachers took a fieldtrip to Caprock Canyon. The point of the trip was to give them some memorable experiences to draw upon for the writing TAKS as well as integrating science, social studies and peer relations. I filled out a questionaire about our experiences, and we made it onto the PISD website. It was also submitted to the newspaper; I'm not certain that we will make it into the paper.

http://www.plainview.k12.tx.us/Portals/0/docs/jan.seago/News/Highland_Fishing.pdf

Much love,

Domestic Questions

Help! I have two domestic dilemmas.

My first problem is the vacuum cleaner. Mr. Dodger is quite the hairy thing and has basically ruined my vac cleaner that I bought just two years ago. I bought a new hose for it, but still it cannot handle the volume of hair that he sheds. I need to find a GREAT pet hair cleaner. Does anyone have a recommendation for a vacuum cleaner that you love? I'll also take recs for those you don't recommend because seriously, who wants to spend money on a vacuum cleaner only to have to break down after the first few passes...

Domestic problem #2 is the toilet. I clean it. Really, I do. It's been cleaned with comet and vinegar separately (we have serious hard water). It has this smell. This strange gaggy smell. I don't really want to leave anything in it like a drop in since Dodger occasionally likes to take a slurp out of the potty...desperate times calls for desperate measures, I suppose. Anyone else experience clean, yet smelly toliet in their homes?

Much love,

Week in Review

I have been quite lax in my posting lately. I'm really trying to think what to say...I mean really...I'm kinda at a loss.

a. Made delicious veggie-cheesy soup this week. Soooooo good! Micah even ate my leftovers...this is huge!

b. Went to the ophthalmologist this week. My prescription stayed the same, and I'm the same in both eyes...yeah for easy contact wearing!

c. Got my teacher evaluation back...always a relief to hear that I do not, in fact, stink at what I do. Kidding aside, I did well.

d. Dodger had to go the vet last weekend and is taking new drugs and food and seeming to feel considerably better!

e. The cotton was stripped this past week. I get kinda bummed when all that is left is the sticks. I really like the white sea of fluffy cotton.

f. I watched The Proposal this weekend. Cute movie. I am eyeing another Sandra Bullock movie that I want to see, Blind Side. I love a good heartwarming movie; at least that's what it seems like from the commercial.

g. Micah got his car back from the repair joint. Both cars fixed!!!

h. This week, on November 9 we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. I remember being only seven years old and watching the wall come down. A boy at school brought a piece of the wall. Powerful words by President Ronald Reagan, "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Much love,

My Salt Obsession

I crave salt. I really, really, really like salt...the good salt. My potato chip purchasing ways have been transformed after my Friday afternoon grocery store trip. I suppose when the house runs out of toilet paper, and then you begin looking around for Kleenex, of course, none and then you are scrambling to the kitchen for paper towels, none, and then you are resorting to option number four to "toilet paper" in the form or paper dinner napkins...you know it's time to head to the grocery store. And this disappearing toilet paper cycle using happens once every month before I go to the store. I never thought of the grocery store as a great shopping experience. It usually ends up that I have bought nothing and I spent too much. Well, I was tired and just grabbing stuff here and there trying to make it home to start the weekend and I grabbed Lay's Kettle Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Chips...oh my, tasty! So very tasty! Enjoy!!!



Much love,

A Rough Week

I am tired. Really, really tired. I haven't known exactly how to describe my week this week so I've avoided writing all week. Tired, really tired, that's how I can describe it now. First, there was a tragedy that occurred with a student I taught in my very first group of kids. I found out through the grapevine, but it stuck with me and just made so sad for his family and young friends. And, how I remember those first few classes so vividly. Sometimes I see them around Lubbock and I think, it is so bizarre how old they seem. Aren't they suppose to be wearing braces and kid sizes still?

Then, a parent I had last year...a great parent, was put on the ventilator with either pneumonia or swine flu after having a baby a couple of days previously. Our whole school has been so concerned, but it really took me back to just a couple of years ago when my mom was in a very similar situation. Praise God for miracle babies and that she is off the ventilator as of last night.

On top of those things this week, I've just felt tired. The kind of tired that sleep isn't helping. I even looked at myself in the bathroom mirror one day at school and thought, tired. I really need to get "untired" because we have evaluations this next week.

Okay, I can't write a post like this without saying something good. Oooh, I picked up my refurbished settee and it looks great. Dodger's new dog food arrived that will hopefully help his allergies. I got a ton of grading done. The insurance check arrived to fix my car which is in the shop as we speak. See, lots of good things. Funny how it is easy to remember the unpleasant over the pleasant.

Much love,

Baby Love

"Oh baby love, my baby love, I need you, oh how I need you..." This part of the song (not so much the rest of it) describes how I get the hankering to see my nieces to get some good sugar, sweet hugs, and fun giggles.

My sweet Reece at 3.5 years old. She thinks she is a real life princess (hence the princess shoes that she wore all over town; she was a hit in the style category) . Her favorite things to say to me "You so funny, Aunt Tolby."


Baby Reagan is now hitting 3.5 months. She is a calm baby. Reece loves to tell people that that is her baby sister. Their car seats were side by side in the car to make room for me, and Reece was petting her while she was sleeping. I hope they grow up to be the best of friends.


Anywhere Dodger is, so is Reece. We had to go run off some energy. Although, that didn't really happen!


A visit north isn't quite complete without Daddy feeding us!


I had hugged, snuggled, wiped tears, cooed, and I was plum tuckered out so much I slept through church. I sure am glad I got my baby love quota in!

Much love,

October 15 is National Grouch Day

Are you a grouch? If so, you have your very own holiday tomorrow. I had no idea about this "holiday" until Mrs. Stephenson on my team came up with this journal entry for our kiddos tomorrow, "October 15 is National Grouch Day. List ten things that make you grouchy." I suppose, I'll kick off the list a day early.

Things that make me grouchy

1. Reaching in the refrigerator in the morning for a Coke, only to realize that there are none.
2. Poor customer service. If I am going to pay you, be on time and act professional.
3. Stubbing my toe on furniture.
4. Non-planners. I'm really bothered when I don't have a plan in advance.
5. My cell phone service company and the mortgage company both messing up our bills this month! I don't like paying double.
6. The overwhelming pile of grading on my desk
7. When people zoom past my on the highway, only to cut me off and slow down right in front of me.
8. The alarm. Both of them. Sadly, I set two alarms since I am quite the dreamer, and sometimes the sound of the alarm coincides with dreams and I don't know that I turned one off so I have to have a back up.
9. When the copy machine jams.
10. Negative Nellies...I think negative breeds negative...on that note, Happy Grouch Day!

Much love,

Wife of the Year Award out the window

Alright, believe it or not I yet again have had another poor spousal moment. I think that is putting it mildly. So here's the story.

I get home Friday from a field trip. The field trip is called Ag in a Bag. That means "agriculture." And, lots of it. Grains, corn, farm animals all set in a giant barn. Basically it's allergy attack waiting to happen trip for me. I drugged up with Zyrtec and Benadryl and was ready to go! The field trip was good, and I was able to breathe and felt much better than last year on the same trip. It was our first field trip of the year, and I just got nervous not knowing how my kiddos would do and of course, they were great. I had just had a crazy, long week where I felt like a hamster on a wheel and the wheel was spinning and I couldn't get off...ugh, I hate that feeling.

So, I came home and felt relieved to end the week. I get a call from a lady who has been refinishing our furniture that she would like to deliver it. I get excited to see the final product. She delivers the furniture and we have a nice chat with her and her husband. By this time, it is time to hop in the car and have dinner with the Holloways. I was excited to eat some of Mindy's food (I seriously want to be like her in the kitchen!) and have some good adult conversation aside from school chat!

Micah goes to pull his car out of the garage and I'm doing my usual obsessing about turning lights off when I open the garage and see him hands on heads, halfway down the driveway, car on car.

That's when the ranting begins. Lots of ranting. Apparently, I said a lots of words that I don't remember saying. Words I didn't think I actually said, but maybe I did. It's like all of my anxiety and stress from the week turned into a funnel of fury and this was my out. I could say whatever I wanted because I was tired and stressed and something bad just happened. I went big picture with it. You know what I mean. You don't do this, this, this and this. And another thing..... And while I'm at it..... I was a real "B" with a capital B. No doubt about it. I was so mad about what I perceived was going to happen that I couldn't see that we were both insured and it was an accident. Okay, so I took it so far as "Now we will never have kids!" Um, Colby...overreaction! So my mind went from car scratch to he doesn't want kids? Can I blame this on a mild case of raging hormonal imbalance?!?

Maybe this accident happened so that we pay more attention when we are actually on the road with others. So, no yummy dinner and funny conversation for us at the Holloways and their cute kids. No pumpkin patch the next day. All thanks to me and my fury. And, about 24 hours later, I could actually laugh about the unforunate incident.

Moral of the story. Stay away from me when I'm really fired up and mad. It doesn't happen very often, but I got a lot to say when I get cranked up. AND, accidents happen. See Micah, I believe in accidents.

P.S. Here was my Day 16 Reasons I love You: That we are now laughing about this little car matter. This little bitty tiny old car deal. So small. Pretty much didn’t scratch it

See, told you I didn't deserve Wife of the Year.

Much love,