I subbed in a kindergarten class today. Here are a couple of funnies:
This week, the class is learning about dinosaurs. So I read them a couple of books on dinosaurs. After I read the non-fiction dinosaur book, I was amazed by the children's stories of how they had been finding dinosaur bones in their very backyards! It was a real little class of archeologists. Most amazing was the story told by little A, who said that he'd not only found one or two dinosaur bones, but a whole set! After he dug up all the bones, he put them all back together to look like, as he said, "the real dinosaur!"
I thought for a moment, and then asked him, ever so sweetly, "Hm . . . I wonder if I asked your mom and dad about you putting that dinosaur back together, if they would tell me if that was true or not."
He promptly shook his head, never missed a beat, and said, "Nope! Big, fat lie."
Then many of the other dinosaur-bone-finders said they thought theirs had really been chicken bones.
While I was reading the non-fiction dinosaur book called My Dinosaur, we got to a part where the girl and her dinosaur get a drink from the river. Sweet little C said, "I don't think that's real because I don't think a girl would drink from water like that because it probably has a lot of germs in it."
Most of the boys agreed. I guess boys don't mind germy water.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Finished!!!!!!!!!!!
I have completed all of my units for Region IV!
I still have a few hours of classroom observations to do, and of course the test, but as for homework and assignments, I am FINISHED!!!!!!!!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
I Am A Substitute Teacher.
I am a substitute teacher. This is me:
I've even had a book written about me:
I like being a substitute. Most of the time. When I first started, I had some shocking experiences. Such as, asking the students to please do their work, and the students cussing me out. Now, I didn't think it was anything unreasonable or even unfair to say, "Please do this work that your teacher left for you."
I've even had a book written about me:
I like being a substitute. Most of the time. When I first started, I had some shocking experiences. Such as, asking the students to please do their work, and the students cussing me out. Now, I didn't think it was anything unreasonable or even unfair to say, "Please do this work that your teacher left for you."Obviously, however, the students found it both unreasonable and unfair.
It took me a couple of weeks to realize that students have, as I assessed it, two personalities for the classroom. One is their "regular teacher" personality. The other is their "substitute teacher" personality.
It also took me a couple of weeks to realize that it was alright for me to address their "substitute teacher personality."
I have a small speech that I give at the beginning of each class. I give the speech for grades 6 and above, and it has to do with respecting me even though I am not their regular teacher, not arguing or talking back, and it ends with me telling them that I will invite them to the principal's office if they cannot follow the rules. I feel kind of mean, but when I think about some of the things I have been up against as a sub, the speech seems like a good idea. And for the most part it works. At least, the kids know I mean business and will not tolerate certain behaviors.
I have had some great experiences subbing. I like it when I have time to interact with the kids, and we have a good time laughing and talking. Teenagers are witty. I really, really like teenagers, and I have missed working with them since my youth minister days.
And the kids that are disprespectful, I try to remember that I have no idea where those kids are coming from. For instance, at one school, I had a class that was really bad. It was really, really bad. Kids walking out of class, talking back to me, doing whatever they wanted. It was like I was invisible. There was only so much I could do, so after awhile I just walked around the room doing the best I could to get them to work. I noticed one conversation going on in which the students were discussing various murders within their families. It was like, my uncle was killed by so-and-so, and my cousin killed so-and-so, and they were talking about it like they might have been discussing the weather. So I don't know what these kids bring into class, and I'm not their teacher, so I don't know them like a regular teacher would.
But, I hope to be that regular teacher soon! I am in my last week of Region IV training!!!! MY LAST WEEK!!!!! I get to look for a job soon. I have really enjoyed my training. I've done well in the classes, and I think I might be really ready to do this teacher thing!
So, from the Teacher from the Black Lagoon, I hope you all have a wonderful day! But not too wonderful. Or else I'll have to take you back to the Black Lagoon with me. Mwahh-haa-haa-haa!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Advantages of Having a Dirty House:
OK, there really aren't any. Which is why I have to clean my house today. Really. I'm not kidding this time. Thankfully, we have a three-day weekend, so I should have plenty of time to do it if I happen to not finish cleaning it today.
In the meantime, not cleaning house has given Chicken Nugget some time to catch up on her new favorite past-time, Webkins:
And it has given me time to catch up on some much-needed beauty treatments:
And look how happy Noodle and Banana have been in the meantime:
This is because they weren't at our dirty house. These were taken at the babysitter's house. When they came home, they cried.
In the meantime, not cleaning house has given Chicken Nugget some time to catch up on her new favorite past-time, Webkins:
And it has given me time to catch up on some much-needed beauty treatments:
And look how happy Noodle and Banana have been in the meantime:
This is because they weren't at our dirty house. These were taken at the babysitter's house. When they came home, they cried.Wednesday, February 06, 2008
What We Need
Before the baby comes, even though this is our fourth, we will be needing a few items. For instance, a basinette. The one we had was a yard-sale find and served us well through Noodle and Banana's first few weeks, but then it fell apart in storage (as we discovered while getting ready for our last yard sale).
We'll also need a new changing table and a dresser, as well as a car seat. Our previous car seat was also a hand-me-down, and it expired (those things actually do have expiration dates, as per safety codes and etc.)
So although they are semi-big-ticket items, at least that's really all that we'll need.
However, the rest of the family has some needs as well:
Noodle needs more sleep before the baby comes. She's working on it right now.
Banana needs - um, actually, Banana's good for now.
Chicken Nugget stated her need to me last night: She said very politely that if she were to get a football helmet before the big arrival, she felt she'd be all ready for the new baby.
We'll also need a new changing table and a dresser, as well as a car seat. Our previous car seat was also a hand-me-down, and it expired (those things actually do have expiration dates, as per safety codes and etc.)
So although they are semi-big-ticket items, at least that's really all that we'll need.
However, the rest of the family has some needs as well:
Noodle needs more sleep before the baby comes. She's working on it right now.Banana needs - um, actually, Banana's good for now.
Chicken Nugget stated her need to me last night: She said very politely that if she were to get a football helmet before the big arrival, she felt she'd be all ready for the new baby.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
The Ultrasound
When we went to the Dr. on Thursday, we of course had our ultrasound! Normally we chose not to find out the gender of our babies, but this time we wanted to know.
Dr. F said, "Do you want a boy or a girl or does it matter?"
I said, "Well, I'd like a boy, but if it's not a boy, we'll be fine!"
Dr. F said, "If I tell you that it's not a boy, are you going to get upset and cry and stuff?"
I looked at Buffalo Wings and we both made questioning faces and said, "No. We'll be fine!"
Dr. F said, "Because a lot of people who come in here want one thing and I tell them it's another thing and they get very upset and cry."
BW and I looked at each other again and shook our heads.
I said, "We're just so happy to be able to have babies, we really don't care. I'd like to have a little brother for our little boy, but if it is not a boy, it's still going to be OK! Besides, I'm sure it's a girl. I've been feeling so puky, I'm just sure it's a girl. If you tell me it's a boy, I'll be so surprised I won't know what to do."
By this time, Dr. F had the goo on my belly and we were looking at the baby.
"Well," she said, "You got a boy!"
I was freaking out, more from shock than anything else. I could not believe that a boy in my belly had made me feel so puky all this time! With Banana, I never felt that bad. With the girls, I threw up daily for many weeks. So I was in total shock that I could carry a boy baby and be as ill as I'd been. I kept asking her to check again and again and make sure that it wasn't the umbilical cord that was in the way, but it wasn't. The umbilical cord was way out of the way of that area, because we saw it a couple of times too.
I am still in shock that there is a boy in there! Though I'm feeling much better so far this week, I'm not getting my hopes up that the worst is over. I had a not-so-good moment at the end of the day yesterday, but it was only a small moment. But still . . . so when this kid comes out and I see all of the kid's parts, then I'll be a true believer! But Dr. F was sure and I saw what I saw . . . but still!
Anyway, the rest of the ultrasound was great. We saw the two parts of the bran, the four chambers of the heart, the lungs and kidneys. Dr. F said that looks like a beautiful baby in there! Imagine how beautiful he's gonna look when he's out here! I can't wait.
Dr. F said, "Do you want a boy or a girl or does it matter?"
I said, "Well, I'd like a boy, but if it's not a boy, we'll be fine!"
Dr. F said, "If I tell you that it's not a boy, are you going to get upset and cry and stuff?"
I looked at Buffalo Wings and we both made questioning faces and said, "No. We'll be fine!"
Dr. F said, "Because a lot of people who come in here want one thing and I tell them it's another thing and they get very upset and cry."
BW and I looked at each other again and shook our heads.
I said, "We're just so happy to be able to have babies, we really don't care. I'd like to have a little brother for our little boy, but if it is not a boy, it's still going to be OK! Besides, I'm sure it's a girl. I've been feeling so puky, I'm just sure it's a girl. If you tell me it's a boy, I'll be so surprised I won't know what to do."
By this time, Dr. F had the goo on my belly and we were looking at the baby.
"Well," she said, "You got a boy!"
I was freaking out, more from shock than anything else. I could not believe that a boy in my belly had made me feel so puky all this time! With Banana, I never felt that bad. With the girls, I threw up daily for many weeks. So I was in total shock that I could carry a boy baby and be as ill as I'd been. I kept asking her to check again and again and make sure that it wasn't the umbilical cord that was in the way, but it wasn't. The umbilical cord was way out of the way of that area, because we saw it a couple of times too.
I am still in shock that there is a boy in there! Though I'm feeling much better so far this week, I'm not getting my hopes up that the worst is over. I had a not-so-good moment at the end of the day yesterday, but it was only a small moment. But still . . . so when this kid comes out and I see all of the kid's parts, then I'll be a true believer! But Dr. F was sure and I saw what I saw . . . but still!
Anyway, the rest of the ultrasound was great. We saw the two parts of the bran, the four chambers of the heart, the lungs and kidneys. Dr. F said that looks like a beautiful baby in there! Imagine how beautiful he's gonna look when he's out here! I can't wait.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
More Tasty Names Family Kid-isms
Noodle had just gotten herself dressed.
She came and aske me, "How do I look?"
I said, "You look lovely!"
Banana asked if he looked lovely, too.
I said, "Oh, yes, you look lovely too!"
Noodle said, "No, he's a boy! Boys don't look lovely!"
I said, "Banana, you look handsome!"
Noodle said, "Yeah, Banana, you look stinkin' handsome!"
I was getting Banana dressed Friday morning and I asked him if he wanted a little brother.
He said, "No, I want cereal."
She came and aske me, "How do I look?"
I said, "You look lovely!"
Banana asked if he looked lovely, too.
I said, "Oh, yes, you look lovely too!"
Noodle said, "No, he's a boy! Boys don't look lovely!"
I said, "Banana, you look handsome!"
Noodle said, "Yeah, Banana, you look stinkin' handsome!"
I was getting Banana dressed Friday morning and I asked him if he wanted a little brother.
He said, "No, I want cereal."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Pink or Blue?
We typically do not find out the gender of our babies while I am pregnant. However, this time it will be different!
We will be finding out!
That's because I want to have a yard sale and try to simlify my life as much as possible before this baby arrives. You see, I have saved boxes of boys' and girls' clothing. And I don't want to come home from the hospital after the baby arrives and have to go through a bunch of boxes to find something for the baby to wear. And since we know that this will be our last newborn, we can get rid of all the other clothing that we won't need for the baby.
So that's why. And it seems like a good enough reason to me.
We will be finding out!
That's because I want to have a yard sale and try to simlify my life as much as possible before this baby arrives. You see, I have saved boxes of boys' and girls' clothing. And I don't want to come home from the hospital after the baby arrives and have to go through a bunch of boxes to find something for the baby to wear. And since we know that this will be our last newborn, we can get rid of all the other clothing that we won't need for the baby.
So that's why. And it seems like a good enough reason to me.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
It's Time to Celebrate!
Today is Buffalo Wings's birthday!Happy birthday my wonderful husband and to my kids' wonderful dad! We love you so much! Hope it is a wonderful, happy day for you! We'll do our best to make sure that it is!
Happy Birthday!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Bad Few Days
I started feeling bad again on Monday night. I missed a meeting at church. I had taken the kids to my friend's house in the very early afternoon. My friend and I did some scrapbooking while the kids played. It was a fine day until . . . just before we got ready to leave, I started feeling puky. I was trying so hard to hold it together while I packed everything up and loaded up the kids. By the time I started the van, I was dry-heaving.
I've been having lots of headaches, feeling puky, and feeling in-general just not good, and also very tired and run-down.
I had to cancel a sub job that I had already lined up for Tuesday and I rejected one that called me early this morning. I am going to try my best to make it to the job I have lined up for tomorrow.
I guess my body misses my old friend, Zofran. Buffalo Wings just got me a refill.
On the plus side, my sciatica has magically disappeared! It has not bothered me for days. I am so thankful.
On another plus side, I found the strength to vacuum the floors today. I've never been so thankful for the strength to vacuum.
I don't know why this is a difficult pregnancy. I mean, I am not having difficulties - as in, no high blood pressure, no diabetes, the baby looks great and is thriving - but I just feel pretty bad most of the time. I felt really good with my last pregnancy. I guess they really are all different, and you can't predict your next pregnancy due to your previous one.
I am praising God for the little life that is growing inside me. I am humbled every time I think about it. We are blessed, and I do not take that for granted. I do not take any of my children for granted. I do not take my husband for granted. I've been crying today because I feel so guilty for not being able to go to work, take care of the house, take care of the things that moms and wives should be taking care of . . . but BW was so comforting, as always, and told me not to worry. He took care of me. He cooked supper. He never, ever complains. He is a dear and wonderful man. I'm so glad he's my hubby and the father of our beautiful kids.
I am also praising God because I know that so many are praying for me, all over the world. Talk about humbling. What a blessing is the Family of God. I love all of you so much and am praying for you too. The blessing of my brothers and sisters in Christ, who love God and who love me, is something that absolutely moves me to tears and moves me beyond words. Thank you for praying.
Much love to all of you.
I've been having lots of headaches, feeling puky, and feeling in-general just not good, and also very tired and run-down.
I had to cancel a sub job that I had already lined up for Tuesday and I rejected one that called me early this morning. I am going to try my best to make it to the job I have lined up for tomorrow.
I guess my body misses my old friend, Zofran. Buffalo Wings just got me a refill.
On the plus side, my sciatica has magically disappeared! It has not bothered me for days. I am so thankful.
On another plus side, I found the strength to vacuum the floors today. I've never been so thankful for the strength to vacuum.
I don't know why this is a difficult pregnancy. I mean, I am not having difficulties - as in, no high blood pressure, no diabetes, the baby looks great and is thriving - but I just feel pretty bad most of the time. I felt really good with my last pregnancy. I guess they really are all different, and you can't predict your next pregnancy due to your previous one.
I am praising God for the little life that is growing inside me. I am humbled every time I think about it. We are blessed, and I do not take that for granted. I do not take any of my children for granted. I do not take my husband for granted. I've been crying today because I feel so guilty for not being able to go to work, take care of the house, take care of the things that moms and wives should be taking care of . . . but BW was so comforting, as always, and told me not to worry. He took care of me. He cooked supper. He never, ever complains. He is a dear and wonderful man. I'm so glad he's my hubby and the father of our beautiful kids.
I am also praising God because I know that so many are praying for me, all over the world. Talk about humbling. What a blessing is the Family of God. I love all of you so much and am praying for you too. The blessing of my brothers and sisters in Christ, who love God and who love me, is something that absolutely moves me to tears and moves me beyond words. Thank you for praying.
Much love to all of you.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Helpful Little Nugget
This morning, as I was brushing Chicken Nugget's hair, she was telling me how sorry she was that I wasn't feeling well today. (I've been kind-of under the weather since last night.)
Chicken Nugget said, "I wish I didn't have to go to school and I could stay here and help you all day."
I said, "Awww . . . you're such a sweet girl. But that's not your job. Your job is to be a third grader at school. Besides, you'd be so bored here all day without your friends and stuff."
"Mmm-mmm," she shook her head, "No I wouldn't, as long as we had cable."
Chicken Nugget said, "I wish I didn't have to go to school and I could stay here and help you all day."
I said, "Awww . . . you're such a sweet girl. But that's not your job. Your job is to be a third grader at school. Besides, you'd be so bored here all day without your friends and stuff."
"Mmm-mmm," she shook her head, "No I wouldn't, as long as we had cable."
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Hooray! Huzzah!
I'm shouting praises because I did not take even one Zofran yesterday! Yay! Halleluiah! And I was able to eat quite a full helping of lunch. I haven't felt full in quite a long time. It felt great! I know that so many have been lifting me up in prayer during this temporary trial. Thank you so much. And thank you to my wonderful hubby, who has taken double duty on taking care of the kids and the housework when I've been too puky to do so. I love you, Buffalo Wings! You rock!
Now I have a new inconvenience due to the pregnancy! I know, I know, I'm full of complaints. Sorry. But it is sciatica (I think I spelled that right), and it is very painful. I have suffered from it in minimal ways during past pregnancies, but this time it is even painful at night when I should be sleeping. This condition, unlike morning sickness (or all-day sickness!), will not decrease as the pregnancy goes further along. It will stay the same or get worse. So please pray for me as I take care of house, kids, hubby, along with work, school, church, etc. There are times when walking across the room is excruciatingly painful. And last night was the first time I've ever been kept awake from it. However, as with the nausea, this too shall pass. Poor Chicken Nugget was helping me around the house this morning, saying she wished that baby would come out so I'd feel better.
"Oh, sweetie," I told her, "Thank you. But it will all be worth it. We'll get a sweet little baby and a new member of the family!"
I'd endure it a thousand times over just for this little bundle that's coming our way.
Love you all and thank you for the prayers!
Now I have a new inconvenience due to the pregnancy! I know, I know, I'm full of complaints. Sorry. But it is sciatica (I think I spelled that right), and it is very painful. I have suffered from it in minimal ways during past pregnancies, but this time it is even painful at night when I should be sleeping. This condition, unlike morning sickness (or all-day sickness!), will not decrease as the pregnancy goes further along. It will stay the same or get worse. So please pray for me as I take care of house, kids, hubby, along with work, school, church, etc. There are times when walking across the room is excruciatingly painful. And last night was the first time I've ever been kept awake from it. However, as with the nausea, this too shall pass. Poor Chicken Nugget was helping me around the house this morning, saying she wished that baby would come out so I'd feel better.
"Oh, sweetie," I told her, "Thank you. But it will all be worth it. We'll get a sweet little baby and a new member of the family!"
I'd endure it a thousand times over just for this little bundle that's coming our way.
Love you all and thank you for the prayers!
Friday, January 04, 2008
Long Overdue Post; Long, LONG Overdue Pictures
When I was in high school, my friend Boss introduced me to the idea of "having ants." It's sort of like having ants in your pants, which is one way to say that you feel anxious or distracted. But this kind of ants, as Boss explained to me, is the kind that makes you want to do anything, anything, but study. She said that having ants will even make you want to clean your room or volunteer to landscape your yard or do everyone else's household chores, so long as you don't have to sit down and study.
Well, I suppose that in a way I've been having ants. I have a ton of homework to do for my teacher training, and I have a ton of laundry to do so that my family can stop running around in their underwear. I'd really rather do the housework than the studying, I admit. So what am I doing instead? Sitting down to write a long overdue blog, of course!
When Noodle gets out of the bath at night, she likes to sit with her towel around her and unwind for awhile before tackling the arduous task of getting dressed. One night, the task just seemed so arduous, that she fell asleep just thinking about it.
Here is Chicken Nugget playing soccer. This was in October. Yeah, I'm way past due on posting pictues.
Yep, that's Halloween. The holiday before Thanksgiving. And the holiday long before Christmas. But here you have it - Banana is an Arkansas Razorbacks football player, and the girls are bats. We improvised for Noodle, who insisted on being a bat just like her sister. Chicken Nugget has a real bat costume. All I could find for Noodle was a cape and black pants and a white shirt. But with a little makeup and glitter, she was thrilled. Now she'll strip down to her underwear and wear that "bat cape" around the house all day. Halloween every day, I tell ya.
This was also in October, when my parents came for a visit. This is at the Wetlands Center in Baytown. I love going there. Noodle loves looking at this statue in the butterfly garden.
Daddy and Banana pose. Sort of. Aren't they adorable?
I almost didn't include this one, seeing as my double chins could be a third character in this photo. However, Buffalo Wings caught this cute scene one night and couldn't resist the photo op. I was reading my Bible one night when Noodle wandered into my bedroom. She ran and got her little brown Bible, jumped into bed, and started quietly reading right along with me.
Well, I suppose that in a way I've been having ants. I have a ton of homework to do for my teacher training, and I have a ton of laundry to do so that my family can stop running around in their underwear. I'd really rather do the housework than the studying, I admit. So what am I doing instead? Sitting down to write a long overdue blog, of course!
When Noodle gets out of the bath at night, she likes to sit with her towel around her and unwind for awhile before tackling the arduous task of getting dressed. One night, the task just seemed so arduous, that she fell asleep just thinking about it.
Here is Chicken Nugget playing soccer. This was in October. Yeah, I'm way past due on posting pictues.
Yep, that's Halloween. The holiday before Thanksgiving. And the holiday long before Christmas. But here you have it - Banana is an Arkansas Razorbacks football player, and the girls are bats. We improvised for Noodle, who insisted on being a bat just like her sister. Chicken Nugget has a real bat costume. All I could find for Noodle was a cape and black pants and a white shirt. But with a little makeup and glitter, she was thrilled. Now she'll strip down to her underwear and wear that "bat cape" around the house all day. Halloween every day, I tell ya.
This was also in October, when my parents came for a visit. This is at the Wetlands Center in Baytown. I love going there. Noodle loves looking at this statue in the butterfly garden.
Daddy and Banana pose. Sort of. Aren't they adorable?
I almost didn't include this one, seeing as my double chins could be a third character in this photo. However, Buffalo Wings caught this cute scene one night and couldn't resist the photo op. I was reading my Bible one night when Noodle wandered into my bedroom. She ran and got her little brown Bible, jumped into bed, and started quietly reading right along with me.Thursday, December 20, 2007
Another Tasty Names Family Update
There's been lots and lots going on, as usual!
First, let me just tell you about my subbing experiences. For the most part, they've been fun. In our town, we have two high schools. There is the one where Buffalo Wings teaches, and then there's . . . the other one. The other one is scary. I love kids. I love working with the kids. But when I start to fear the kids, that's when I call it quits. And having a police officer summoned to a class in which I am subbing (more than once, by the way), helps me make that decision to call it quits. So I don't go to the other one anymore. I stick to BW's school. And I like it. I could discuss with you the many reasons for the differences at each school, but I'll save that for another post.
My favorite sub position so far has been for the tennis coach. She teaches computers and coaches tennis. Enough said.
I've also enjoyed my days at elementary school. It's kind of like a break for me. The kids are so cute and sweet in second grade! But as much as I like those days, I never regret my decision to become certified in 8-12 English, and not in elementary education. I just feel that I am really called to work with teenagers. I love those guys!
Speaking of my certification, it's all going well. So far, the work is not too difficult. I spoke to a friend of mine about it, about how I was a little scared that I wasn't finding the work to be as difficult as I thought it should be. My friend is an administrator at a school, and taught English for several years before that. She said, "I think that people who just naturally have the gift to educate will find the work to be easier." That was encouragement to me, because I have been apprehensive throughout the entire process. (Am I making the right decision? Will I make a good teacher? Etc.)
Having BW to help me is great, too, and does make the work less challenging. Since he is a teacher and has gone through all the education classes before, it's all familiar to him and he is of great help whenever I need to ask questions. I like that, because the class is all online. I need some kind of interaction. BW is the best!
The pregnancy is going . . . well . . . um, it's going. First trimester blues have set it. By that I mean, I wish I could eat. Just eat. Just say, hey, I'm hungry! We have peanut butter and bread! I'll have a peanut butter sandwich! But, no. Things don't work that way with me in the first trimester. I have to walk on egg shells around my food. I don't want to make it mad, or it will show itself again. So I'm picking and choosing the food wisely and taking my Zofran around the clock and so far, I've only thrown up a few times. Poor BW is picking up the slack and really pulling double duty on my hardest days. He's so great. I'm so glad I found him out there in Iowa!
The kids are doing great and are very excited about Christmas! My parents, brother, brother's girlfriend, and my nephew will all be coming down here from Arkansas. Noodle has been singing this song, something she wrote all by herself:
"Oh, please, Santa, come to our house! Oh, please, Christmas, come to our town!"
Yes, it's cute. For about the first forty times. But she gets louder and louder and louder, because, she says, she wants to make sure Santa can hear her.
Banana is really into football these days. He loves to throw his Nerf football all around, spike it, say "touchdown!" and run his football all over the house and then fall down on the floor with it. It is really cute.
Chicken Nugget is still doing great in school. She had benchmarks last week, as they get ready for the big standardized test coming up soon. She blew the top off all her tests! This week is full of Christmas activities at school. Today, they brought in a snow machine and all the kids had a "snow day" during PE. It is crazy! To live in a place where, if the kids want to see snow, it has to be fake and brought in by a machine! But they love it, you know.
I'm still teaching first and second grade Sunday School at church and am still in the choir. I've been able to participate a lot more since I quit my retail job (YAY! NO MORE RETAIL FOR ME!). We also got a new pastor at church, which we are all very excited about. I'm looking forward to all that this year will hold for our church. We've faced many challenges, but God is so good and faithful and He is still working in our community, state, country, and world. I'm constantly amazed by His grace and goodness.
That's about it for now. Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas! And sending much love from the Tasty Names family to yours -
God's richest blessings on you all!
First, let me just tell you about my subbing experiences. For the most part, they've been fun. In our town, we have two high schools. There is the one where Buffalo Wings teaches, and then there's . . . the other one. The other one is scary. I love kids. I love working with the kids. But when I start to fear the kids, that's when I call it quits. And having a police officer summoned to a class in which I am subbing (more than once, by the way), helps me make that decision to call it quits. So I don't go to the other one anymore. I stick to BW's school. And I like it. I could discuss with you the many reasons for the differences at each school, but I'll save that for another post.
My favorite sub position so far has been for the tennis coach. She teaches computers and coaches tennis. Enough said.
I've also enjoyed my days at elementary school. It's kind of like a break for me. The kids are so cute and sweet in second grade! But as much as I like those days, I never regret my decision to become certified in 8-12 English, and not in elementary education. I just feel that I am really called to work with teenagers. I love those guys!
Speaking of my certification, it's all going well. So far, the work is not too difficult. I spoke to a friend of mine about it, about how I was a little scared that I wasn't finding the work to be as difficult as I thought it should be. My friend is an administrator at a school, and taught English for several years before that. She said, "I think that people who just naturally have the gift to educate will find the work to be easier." That was encouragement to me, because I have been apprehensive throughout the entire process. (Am I making the right decision? Will I make a good teacher? Etc.)
Having BW to help me is great, too, and does make the work less challenging. Since he is a teacher and has gone through all the education classes before, it's all familiar to him and he is of great help whenever I need to ask questions. I like that, because the class is all online. I need some kind of interaction. BW is the best!
The pregnancy is going . . . well . . . um, it's going. First trimester blues have set it. By that I mean, I wish I could eat. Just eat. Just say, hey, I'm hungry! We have peanut butter and bread! I'll have a peanut butter sandwich! But, no. Things don't work that way with me in the first trimester. I have to walk on egg shells around my food. I don't want to make it mad, or it will show itself again. So I'm picking and choosing the food wisely and taking my Zofran around the clock and so far, I've only thrown up a few times. Poor BW is picking up the slack and really pulling double duty on my hardest days. He's so great. I'm so glad I found him out there in Iowa!
The kids are doing great and are very excited about Christmas! My parents, brother, brother's girlfriend, and my nephew will all be coming down here from Arkansas. Noodle has been singing this song, something she wrote all by herself:
"Oh, please, Santa, come to our house! Oh, please, Christmas, come to our town!"
Yes, it's cute. For about the first forty times. But she gets louder and louder and louder, because, she says, she wants to make sure Santa can hear her.
Banana is really into football these days. He loves to throw his Nerf football all around, spike it, say "touchdown!" and run his football all over the house and then fall down on the floor with it. It is really cute.
Chicken Nugget is still doing great in school. She had benchmarks last week, as they get ready for the big standardized test coming up soon. She blew the top off all her tests! This week is full of Christmas activities at school. Today, they brought in a snow machine and all the kids had a "snow day" during PE. It is crazy! To live in a place where, if the kids want to see snow, it has to be fake and brought in by a machine! But they love it, you know.
I'm still teaching first and second grade Sunday School at church and am still in the choir. I've been able to participate a lot more since I quit my retail job (YAY! NO MORE RETAIL FOR ME!). We also got a new pastor at church, which we are all very excited about. I'm looking forward to all that this year will hold for our church. We've faced many challenges, but God is so good and faithful and He is still working in our community, state, country, and world. I'm constantly amazed by His grace and goodness.
That's about it for now. Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas! And sending much love from the Tasty Names family to yours -
God's richest blessings on you all!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Eleven Weeks and Puky Days Pregnant
Ugh.
I've been holding off on this post. I don't want to complain. But is it complaining if you simply state facts?
I feel nauseated. Not all the time, but most of the time. My doctor gave me some pills to help with the nausea, and they help. But they don't take it completely away. And right now, I am really, really nauseated. And I'm trying to convince myself that I really do not have to throw up. I'm doing everything I can to keep myself from throwing up. That's because I am afraid that if I start throwing up, I will not stop until 15-20 weeks of pregnancy. And that's too many weeks away for me to think of that as a viable option.
When I was pregnant with each girl, I had terrible, terrible nausea and throwing up. I threw up daily. I threw up water. I thought my tiny babies were going to die. I lost weight. My doctors would reassure and try very hard to help me. After about the 15th or so week, it all subsided. And my desire for children was so great that I still wanted to go through it again. So after I found out I was pregnant with #3, the fear set in, after the initial joy. Will I throw up for 15-20 weeks again? Will this be awful and horrible, again? But it wasn't. There was just a bit of nausea and no throwing up, and it passed fairly quickly.
I hear that when you are pregnant with a girl, you have more nausea because there are more "girl" hormones in your body - yours and your baby's. I don't know. But having experienced more nausea with the girls than I did with Banana, I am wondering if this baby is not another girl. That would make sense to me. I want to name her Annie.
Anyway, we have decided not to have any more of our own children. We want more children, of course. Very much so. But I just don't know if I can put my body through this again. And the more children to take care of during pregnancy, the harder everything else seems. So we will adopt. There are so many children who need a loving home, and we'd have a great family to welcome a couple more kids into.
So, I'm not trying to complain. Just saying that this bit of pregnancy is rough, with nausea and extreme fatigue. It's like I'm hungry, but so afraid to eat. But I also know from experience that when this stage passes, there will be no food that I will fear! Food will taste wonderful again, and I'll eat with abandon. Wild abandon.
I've been holding off on this post. I don't want to complain. But is it complaining if you simply state facts?
I feel nauseated. Not all the time, but most of the time. My doctor gave me some pills to help with the nausea, and they help. But they don't take it completely away. And right now, I am really, really nauseated. And I'm trying to convince myself that I really do not have to throw up. I'm doing everything I can to keep myself from throwing up. That's because I am afraid that if I start throwing up, I will not stop until 15-20 weeks of pregnancy. And that's too many weeks away for me to think of that as a viable option.
When I was pregnant with each girl, I had terrible, terrible nausea and throwing up. I threw up daily. I threw up water. I thought my tiny babies were going to die. I lost weight. My doctors would reassure and try very hard to help me. After about the 15th or so week, it all subsided. And my desire for children was so great that I still wanted to go through it again. So after I found out I was pregnant with #3, the fear set in, after the initial joy. Will I throw up for 15-20 weeks again? Will this be awful and horrible, again? But it wasn't. There was just a bit of nausea and no throwing up, and it passed fairly quickly.
I hear that when you are pregnant with a girl, you have more nausea because there are more "girl" hormones in your body - yours and your baby's. I don't know. But having experienced more nausea with the girls than I did with Banana, I am wondering if this baby is not another girl. That would make sense to me. I want to name her Annie.
Anyway, we have decided not to have any more of our own children. We want more children, of course. Very much so. But I just don't know if I can put my body through this again. And the more children to take care of during pregnancy, the harder everything else seems. So we will adopt. There are so many children who need a loving home, and we'd have a great family to welcome a couple more kids into.
So, I'm not trying to complain. Just saying that this bit of pregnancy is rough, with nausea and extreme fatigue. It's like I'm hungry, but so afraid to eat. But I also know from experience that when this stage passes, there will be no food that I will fear! Food will taste wonderful again, and I'll eat with abandon. Wild abandon.
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