My Son, The King

OK! I know I am bragging. My son once again is the king. He won his last pageant, America's Fabulous Faces. He can go to state, but we are not. We are going to leave it alone. It costs like $400 to enter him in state and that does not include food and hotel stay. So it is a bit expensive, just for a chance for a $5 trophy, crown, and sash.

This is Ashton after the crowning ceremony.

These of course are the PROUD parents of King Ashton Arnold!!

6 weeks Left

Well, I have six weeks left. I am so ready. I feel like she has dropped some, but it is probably my imagination. Everything hurts now, so yes I am completely miserable. But the end is in sight. I have an appointment this week then I am going every two weeks.

Update on Mr. Fishy: We have a new one. Well, sort of. If you remember the original Mr. Fishy (beta) was killed by my wonderful husband. Yesterday, we went to get another beta. Wal-Mart in Pine Bluff did not have very pretty ones. Then we went to the Pet Cellar in Star City. They were ugly to. Not much color to them. We ended up with a Black Moor. I tried to get Ashton to pick out a pretty bright orange gold fish. Instead this is what he wanted. It is the ugliest thing I have every seen. It is black with big black eyes. How depressing? Anyways, the fish looked really small at the pet shop. We got home and put him in the one gallon tank. He barely fits. So today we went and purchased a 10 gallon tank. On the bright side, now I can buy some colorful fish to make up for the ugly black fish that Ashton and Michael just adore.

Regarding my last post on the tight clothes. It was a WOMAN that told me my clothes were too tight. I think that is what hurt the most. The males never said anything.

Tight Clothes

Tight Clothes? No I am not talking about really cool clothes. I am talking about my clothes are too small. One month left, my clothes are tight. It doesn't matter if they are maternity or not.

Today, I was told I was not dressed appropriately for school. I was thinking ok I have finally gotten caught wearing my tennis shoes. No, it was my shirt. I couldn't believe it. I wasn't dressed as a hooker. I had a long black skirt and one of Michael's henleys. I was told it was too tight over the stomach. To me I was thinking, but I am 7 weeks away from possible delivery. What do you mean it is too tight? I decided to wear this shirt because the actually maternity shirt was too tight and form fitting.

Old me, we send an e-mail or go to the office of the higher up and ask them to buy me some clothes that fit. Lawsuit or something. I am sure it could be consider discriminatory or something. I have seen teachers wear worse like the titty shirts. No, mine was too tight on the belly. I didn't even show skin but was told it was not appropriate. Sounds like discrimination to me. Too bad I am only pregnant and cried about it. I just wanted to go home and never to return.

It really hurts when you are trying your best to show up even though it is living hell these last months to move around and you get criticized for your clothes being tight. Maybe someone could explain it to me. I am just upset. I don't have money like others may to go and buy larger clothes for one month and fix it. My family is living on one income. Just makes me want to scream.

Just One of those Days

Yesterday was just one of those days. You know the ones you wish you could blink and it will all be over (in fact that it never happened). Well, that would be my day.

Yesterday, my teaching license is on the line. Now, teachers must be observed within their first three years of teaching in order to receive full license capability. Well, I am doing mine during my first year. I wanted to get it over with and not even have to think about it. In fact, most wait until April or May. No not me, I did mine as soon as possible. Let's just say, I hope the state really needs teachers.

I chose to do a lesson on writing. Thinking this lesson would be easy because the students are already use to the routine. They have only been doing it since beginning January. Let's just say the kids acted like they had no idea what they were to do. Below are just a few of the mishaps that I had to deal with.

• The regular aide was out, so there was a sub. She kept my student that was being tutoring too long. (I had to wait on him to start his group). I am ok with timing because crap happens and you have to deal with it.
• Next, the aide brings my mail in. Of all times, during the lesson that I am having the state department observe. She just stood there and did not say a word. It felt like 10 minutes. I know it was probably like 5 seconds, but it sure did seem like forever. Finally, I stopped my lesson to take the mail from her. I believe she would have stood there until I acknowledged her.
• I had one student who when they do not want to do something will pick his scabs and try to get up to get a band-aid. Forgetting the observer was there, I told him he would just have to bleed and he was not going to get up. He better write a story and not say another word.
• The students could not sit still to work in their small groups. They wanted to roll around on the carpet.
• The students wanted to run from their seat to the carpet where I was. (A BIG NO-NO)

This is only a few of the things that happened. I couldn't believe it. For a day for everything to go wrong, it was yesterday

To finish my day out, I had two students to throw up and have to go home. One urinated on herself. One did the other on himself. All I can say is WHAT A DAY! I should have called in.

On a much brighter note, I redid the lesson today. It went smoother than any other lesson. This just put icing on my cake.

Tribute to my Daddy

Today is my Dad's birthday. He would be 65 today. Two years ago his life was cut short due to pancreatic cancer.


My Dad, Ralph Fletcher, was born on February 4, 1942. He was raised in a big family. There were seven boys and one girl. My Dad spent time in the army, but never made it past training. During a tear gas training practice, my Dad became legally blind. His tear gas mask did not work meaning his eyes were basically destroyed by tear gas.


Dad became an elementary teacher. I guess he was my inspiration. He loved to teach math as well as I do. In 1971 he married my mother. They later divorced to only get remarried in 1978. During their second marriage, they had my sister (Hope) then me. They did however later get divorced again.


Even though my parents were seperated, it never seemed that way. You hear of these horror stories of divorces and the child not ever seeing their other parent again. My Dad was always around. He did everything for me and with me. He was at all school events, piano recitals, dance recitals, etc. He was truly remarkable. We never had trouble getting money to support us from him. He was always there.


Dad is the greatest. I can remember every Halloween, Dad coming over to make jack-0-lanterns for us. We never asked. He just did. Dad would do anything for us. To me that is a true Dad. One who goes out of their way to do for their children. They don't care what obstacles are in the way. They will see that the job is done.


My Dad took care of my mother when she was dying of lung cancer. Despite their differences, he was there for his children again. He did not want us to quit work or college. He just wanted our life to be normal. My Dad was nominated in 2003 for the Parent of the Year Award at UAM for this very reason. Dad was always there for us. He never let us down.




In 2002, I got married. This was only four months after the death of my mother. Being a Daddy's girl, Dad didn't really agree with my choice. He did however grow to love Michael. Dad not really knowing how to help me plan for a wedding did his best. He wanted to make sure I had everything. My Dad would not stop at any limit for me. He was the greatest through the death of mom and my wedding. He was my angel.



In May of 2005, Dad became sick. I moved home from Jonesboro take care of him. I did not know how I would do this and keep my marriage, but I had no choice. Michael, Ashton, and I moved in with him in Arkansas City. By the end of May, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I knew his time was short. I am just thankful, that I had one more angel in my life, MICHAEL. He took care of Dad while I finished my internship and graduated. My September, Dad was very ill. He decided on no more chemo or radiation. I have to say I don't blame him. Dad began to take morphine daily for the pain. It was a struggle to face him every day and not be able to help him not hurt. After all, that is what he did for us. On October 7th, he took his last breath. This was one of my saddest days, to watch my father take his last breath. It was sad, but yet peaceful. My Dad was no longer in pain.



Looking back on Dad's life, I am so glad he was a part of mine. It use to sadden me that he was gone, but I am thankful he was a Dad that stuck around for his family even though he was divorced. He was still a family man to his children. He never let us down. For that I love my Dad.

MY DAD IS THE GREATEST! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

Our Celebrity Look-A-Likes

Mr. Fishy

We bought a beta but it died. We are going to get another one this weekend. I think Mr. Fishy would have made it but he fell out of his tank when Michael nearly hit a SUV in the parking lot. I cried! Not only did I loose a fish, but everything in the floor board got wet. This included our meals from McDonald's that were just bought. The bottom fell out of the bag and there went the food. Everything was saved but one medium french fry. I guess we could say it is a good thing we only lost a fish and french fries. It could have been the truck.

It finally happened. My legs and feet have become swollen. I thought I was going to get out of it. They don't hurt much but just look big. If you have any pointers for swollen legs let me know.

We had a great time in Jonesboro. Ashton had a blast. He was able to dress up in a velcro suit and jump and stick to a wall. He loved it. I got to shop for Kaylee without the guys. It was so much fun. I have not done that in a while.

It finally happened my legs and feet are swollen. I think the shopping at the mall didn't help matters any.

Finally A Vacation

Finally a vacation! I am heading to Jonesboro today. I can't wait. I love it up there. Michael and I always have a great time there. One day, maybe if we have to move it will be there.

School is out today due to the outbreak of flu. So I get to leave early. Woo hoo. Leaving at noon instead of 3:30. Maybe the house will be cleaned when I get home. Yeah right! It doesn't hurt to wish.

UPDATE ON KAYLEE: She is indeed still a girl. Right now she is 3lbs and 4 oz. The due date on this ultrasound was March 28. So anywhere from the end of March to the beginning of April, I am due. I can't wait. Everything is going great with her. No major problems have been sited. The next appointment is the end of February, then I am coming every 2 weeks. It does not seem like that time yet.

Well, I must go to Jonesboro now. I'll keep you updated. Maybe after Kaylee is born I will have less ranting about nothing.

No Longer Sick Much

Life is looking better. I am no longer coughing much, which means Kaylee kicks less. Woo hoo!

This last week has been crazy with all the sickness. I have average about 10 in my kindergarten class a day. So about 6 have been absent. We have had strep throat and the flu. Then on top of that yesterday, we discovered head lice. Three went home. I finally ended up with 7 yesterday. It is crazy. Only in my class. Needless to say, my house is having to get a good cleaning and my classroom for the lice.

Today is going to prove to be better, if I can stay out of the bathroom. It seems like I am there all the time. No, I am not throwing up. I have to pee every time I stand up. Will those 10 more weeks hurry and get here.

Anyways, I am excited next weekend I will get to go to Jonesboro. FInally a vacation. Well, a working vacation. I am sure I will have lots of school work to do. I will be out of the house though.

Enough boring you. I am going to go and soak in hot water so my muscles can move.

Stressed?

Can life go so well only to suck so bad? Just changed a three year old's pants because he peed all over them. Not 5 minutes later, he comes in only to give more bad news. "Mommy, I have poo-poo on my hands." Your husband is at work, so you are force to clean up the wonderful mess.

I have a nasty cold that will not go away. Everytime I cough, I hurt. Kaylee kicks me. I stay up all night coughing only to have to get up and get ready at 6:00. Life really stinks right.

My house is a wreck. Just for once, I wish all the hard work I put into cleaning the house on the weekend would stay that way. Could for once, my husband throw away the empty pizza box. Can he put the clean clothes up in the closet after the wife has folded and sorted them. Can the trash go outside on Tuesday and Friday and not stay in the house? Is it really that hard to remember TUesday and Thursday?

School is great, but meeting deadlines are killing me. SOmetimes, I have to rush around and do something because I didn't know it had to be done. I do understand the other teachers. They have been doing it for a long time and don't think twice to make sure I have it done. One day I will be in their shoes. Just found out that I have to get a shirt and put 100 things on it and wear it on 100s day. I found that out when I got a letter to send home to parents to tell them about it. I am so tired and don't want to do it. Sorry for the grouch. Any suggestions on what to put on a shirt, that I don't have because I am pregnant and have no money because I am trying to get out of debt.

Retention time is coming up. I am a nervous wreck. How do you tell a mother their precious little child really needs another year of kindergarten? Is there an easy way.

My masters classes are well going. WE are in the second week on class. The bookstore finally realized they goofed on my order and will be mailing my books. Can anything go right.

I am so depressed and tired, I don't know what to do. I want to sleep. I can't. There are so many things to do.

This pregnancy is the worst. I hurt so bad that I just wish April will get here. You try to act like everything is great, but it isn't. Kaylee kicks constantly so I don't get sleep there either. I sleep great in the recliner, but want my husband near. Yet two will not fit on the recliner. I have hit the last trimester, so the crying has started. I cry for no reason. Then I cry because I am crying.

I lost a really great friend in Arizona who thought I was a bitch. I only eat certain stuff. Fried chicken and mash potatoes is what I want. Mexican is out of the question. The thought makes me sick. Funny thing, I craved it with Ashton. That is all she wanted to do, but I couldn't. I was so tired of walking around the zoo, I just wanted to hurry and get out of there. I was cranky and needed sleep. My feet hurt and were beginning to swell. I didn't want to go to her house because she had a dog that would jump on me. It just made me nervous. So needless to say I don't have that friend anymore. I tried to explain but she thought I was making up excuses. What a horrible Christmas it was. Michael and I didn't get each other anything. We spent all Christmas money to go out there for a horrible time.

Anything else bad that has happened in my life? Anything good? I am sure there is something good, I just don't know. I did get internet so that is great! That takes one stress out of my life but adds another. I will no longer see my husband much because he stays up chatting with his friends. Oh well, maybe it will be different.

It is On!

The internet is back up and running. Blogging can now take place.

Update on Kaylee. I am 29 weeks now. Can't wait for 40 weeks. I am miserable. She does nothing but move constantly (ALL DAY). My back is in constant pain. On top of all this I have terrible cold/cough. It hurts to even cough.

My job is going great. In February, a Pathwise observer is going to come down and observe me. If I pass, I get fully licensed to teach. I am not to stressed over. I just want it to be over.

Well, I must go get ready for work. More blogging to come.

Kaylee Update

Since I have internet while on vacation in Tucson, Arizona, I will write an update on Kayle.

Kaylee is now due on April 1st. I guess I am going to have a fool. : ) Just kidding.

Everything is going great. She kicks all the time. ALL THE TIME!!! I thought Ashton moved alot. Boy was I wrong. She hates me lying on my back, so every time we are at the doctor's office to listen to her heart rate it is a struggle. THe doctor's have a difficult time because she is kicking all the time. She has a mind of her on!

The only major problem with this pregnancy is urinary tract infection, so I guess I am blessed. Or cursed. However you look at it. I have to cut down on sweets but that is what I crave. BUTTERFINGERS.

Anyways, enough blabbling on and on! I have to go to the Biosphere 2!

No Internet

Just when you think you are getting back to blogging, life kicks you a hard one. We have no internet now at our house. That is cool, but the lack of TV was killing me on Thursdays (Grey's Anatomy). Who would think that TV and internet can put a hinderance on family. Our life is so much better no that their is no TV or internet. Check this out! We spend time together. We complained about never seeing each other, yet we did not make it a point when we could. Life is still great at the Arnold's. We are actually a family now.

Baby Name Announced

Kaylee Elizabeth Arnold

Thanks you for you suggestions. It helped a lot.

Mommy I Don't Like This Place

Going through hell last night, Ashton says I don't like this place. Let me clarify this. We went to the heaven and hell house at Shady Grove Baptist Church. It was great. It makes hell so real for you. You never leave this place without thinking about changing your life. Ashton even walked away saying he don't like that place so he is going to love Jesus.


After being tortured in hell, we finally came to a beautiful place. It was heaven. This made hell seem bad, dark, and gloomy. We walked in and Ashton says, "Ooh pretty. I like this place." Ashton even got the chance to shake Jesus' hand. He loved it. He went home and called everyone he knew that Jesus shoke his hand.

The bottom line of this story is that sometimes we need to think like a child. The next day we have forgotten about the experiences of the heaven and hell house. Ashton is still talking about loving Jesus because he didn't like the other place. What is it that makes us not continue to think about the consequences of our actions? We know we don't want to go to hell, but do we really think about what we are doing? Are we living in the light of Jesus every day?

The Naming Race is On

We never do things normally. We have come up with an exciting way to name our child. Please help us.

So the race is on. We are taking suggestions for a name for the girl. We know the middle name is Ann after my mother. We need a first name!!! Please give us suggestions. After getting several suggestions we will then narrow the choices down and have you vote. The name with the most votes will win. Right now, we are thinking of Grace Ann and Emily Ann. Any more ideas.

It's a Girl

Yes, those first pictures that we always hate. Mom shows to world who we are.

She is due April 1st. I am 16 weeks along and everything looks great.

Long Time Away

Sorry it has been so long. Now, I go to work, come home, work on grad class, and go to bed. Not much time for blogging.

Anyways, I am back. Hopefully, I can come back to doing this once a week. I just must retrain myself.

I will go to the doctor on Wednesday. I will give everyone the update. Hopefully everything will turn out great.

Hoping for the wrong things

Have you ever hoped for material things and thought they would make your life better? I have answered yes to this question more times than I would like to admit.

If I only owned my own home, how great life would be. This is my worst dreams and hopes that I have. It haunts me over and over again, to the point of depression. Should I really let this take over my life like it does? Sometimes I wish I could be like Michael and window shop. It hurts because I really want the house so bad. He always tells me that our time will come. It just is not coming fast enough for me. I want to be settled with my own fenced in back yard for my kids and dogs to play.

After listening to Jeff's sermon, I undertand that this hope is consuming me. I just need to put faith in God. After all he knows what he is doing, he has the plan already written out. I know that this is hard to understand. I often get depressed and scared to give it all to him. That lack of control in my life bothers me. I am continuing to work on giving it over to him and be less of a control freak in my life.

My Friday Five on Sunday

1. How much TV do you watch?

Not much. I have a few shows that I watch religiously. Most of the time, Ashton has the TV.

2. What type of show is your favorite?

I am a sucker for reality TV. I love Real World. Every Tuesday night, I am in front of my TV watching it. Other than that, I love detective shows, especially Cold Case on A & E.

3. Which talk show host do you hate?

I don't hate any of them. I even wanted to be a talk show host when I grew up. That was what I originally went to school for. Now look at me, I am a teacher.

4. Are you looking forward to any new season premieres?

Grey's Anatomy. I can't wait. Will Thursday ever get here?


5. Which show is your guilty pleasure?

Real World. I must know everything that is going on. I even get online to check out MTV overdrive for scenes that were edited.