Update on the Arnold Household

Kaylee went for her week check up today. Everything is great. She has gained 7 ounces since birth. She is now at 8 lbs. and 5 oz. Everything looked great. We are getting a referrel in the process for Children's Hospital to look at her foot. So when everything that gets set up we will know more about it.

Ashton has adjusted well. He now is the big helper. He finally said that we could keep her. So things are getting back to normal in that category. No more Ashton fighting for attention unless other people come over. I am so glad.

Kaylee is Here!!!

Kaylee has arrived. We went to the hospital around 3:30 a.m. on April 1st. She was born at 12:55 p.m. She was 7lbs and 14 ozs and 22 1/2 inches long. We have been discharged from the hospital. We all arrived home last night around 9 pm. Kaylee had a great night. She got up about every 3 hours for feeding but it wasn't bad.

PRAYER REQUEST: Kaylee does have a club foot. After our 1 week check up we may be making several trips to Little Rock to correct her foot problem.

Kaylee is Very Close

Kaylee is almost here. No changes with the doctor's visit. Nothing is happening. The doctor however said that if nothing breaks through this weekend. I will go in on Monday and they will begin to help the process. So there is an end. So next week, no more sick of being pregnant. It will all be worth it.

Spring Break Woes

Spring Break is here. What am I doing? NOTHING! I have been sick just about all week. Just ready for a baby to pop out.

Have you ever been in a state where everything irritates you? The noise of the air conditioner is a bother. Your son touching you. I know it has to be hormones, but you feel so bad and depressed because all you are doing is yelling and sleeping. You feel as if you are not spending enough time with your own child.

You are hot, your husband is cold. I am running the air conditioner on like 60 because I am having temperature problems while he sits at the computer covered in a quilt.

This has to be over soon. When will the cruel joke be over and a miracle be placed in my arms?

Depressing Doctor's Visit

All the signs are there but nothing is happening down there. How depressing can this be?

Another doctor's visit down only to find out nothing has changed. No thinning out or even dialating. It just makes you want to go home and cry.

I have never been in so much pain and stress. All I can do is lay around in my bed. That is the most comfortable place in the whole world. Yet I have a house to clean, papers to write for my master's, and a classroom of 16 kids waiting on me every morning.

At least Monday begins my Spring Break! Hopefully something good will happen. If not it is back to work for me. Sorry for the depressing post, but it helps to get it out. Sometimes you just wish you husband could understand what you are feeling and they would be more caring.

No Kaylee...but I am a Licensed Teacher Now

It's official. I passed Praxis III. 55 out of 57.

I AM NOW A FULLY CERTIFIED TEACHER!!!!

Kaylee Where Are You?

37 weeks Sunday! 3 more weeks and hopefully not a day later. Where are you? I am now to the point where I stay in bed all day. If I could afford to I would take off from work, but I am already going to be 6 weeks without getting a paycheck. So this cat represents me. Except for the fact, I can't sleep on my back, stomach, or sides. I go to the doctor on Thursday, so I may have an update for you then. I am going every week. I have had one shower and got lots of great things and have one more on Friday. Thank God for showers. I have lots of diapers now. Those will come in handy. Thanks to everyone.

Here is a picture of the dress that Tanya made for Kaylee. Doesn't Kaylee look just like Daddy? Sorry about the Grinch. Ashton doesn't have any dolls to dress up.

Completely Miserable

I am finally at the stage of being completely miserable. I never had this problem with Ashton. In fact, I don't even know what a contraction feels like. I think I am having Braxton Hicks though.

Kaylee has dropped. I am on my feet constantly so my back is in so much pain. Today we gave standardized test. I was on my feet for 1.5 hours. It doesn't sound like much, but it felt like ten hours. All I can do or want to do is stay in bed. That isn't even comfortable either. I just wish she would come and the misery would be over.

On brighter note, Michael has been great. I think he finally realizes that I just can't move or it hurts. He has cooked supper several nights in a row and even cleaned up after himself. Thank goodness. Well, enough grouchiness for now. I must go back to ready my book because watching TV hurts.

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.

Tiny Mister Drew County

So it has been a while. I have been busy, but I must take the time and brag on my little boy. He won Tiny Mister Drew County 2006 for his age group (24 - 35 months) today. He was so great. He walked on stage and stole the show. He waved and blew kisses at everyone. He had the audience reacting. You can call me over exaggerating, but it is true. He is going to be in the parade Tuesday, so come and see for yourself.
Sorry about the long time no blogging, I just don't have time. I am so tired when I get home from work that I go straight to bed. I think I sleep more now that I am pregnant. When I am not sleeping, I am trying to take a grad course. I will try to get on more often.

Bowling League

Yes, you read right. I have joined a bowling league. Michael has been wanting to for years. So to help him out, I joined. I am really bad. I guess that gives me more of a handicapped. Woo hoo. My average this week was 78. I couldn't even break 100. Next week will be better. I promise.

Right now, I am so sore. Who would have thought bowling was such exercise?

By the way, we need one more player. We have three. Michael, Taylor, and I. We need four by next week. Who wants to join? You have to be better than me.

Meltdown?

When is the meltdown going to start?

Nothing has gone wrong at school yet. Everything is great at home. What is wrong? Life is not choatic. Something must be going to happen.

Anyways, I am so exicited. Michael and I are going to go on a date. WITH NO ASHTON. It is crazy. A date for the whole weekend. At the end of September, we are going to Conway to see Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I am so ready for that break.

Watch Out!!

Watch Out! It is family time. We started our family time last night. It was great fun. We read Ashton a book and then ended with a prayer. He loved it. Can't wait to do it tonight.

This weekend has proven to be the best investment I have made. Our family went to the Marriage/Parenting Retreat.

Our first seminar was our personality. Kind of disappointing. I think we should have never been married. Just kidding. My personality is choleric. I am a natural born leader and am always right. I can't stand for someone to take their time. I want to get it done and get it done now. I can also be very bossy. Michael is sanquine. He is nothing like me. He wants to play all the time and get lots of attention. He needs constant affection and feel appreciated. Having two totally different personalities, we are going to have to work hard. It does explain a lot of our conflicts. The seminar gave us several tips. We are working on those now.

The second seminar we went to was Keeping the Romance Alive. It was really good. Being married four years and having a kid, sometimes it feels like the spark has left. We were given several pointers and ideas. One was to take a date without kids. We are working on this one now.

The third seminar was Raising your Children to Be Disciples. This was good. I must raise Ashton to be a disciple, so he can grow up and become a great Christian that share the word. The speaker shared many statistics with us. I wish I could remember the numbers. It was just amazing how you can raise your children to be disciples and they raise their children to be disciples. After about 30 years billions of people have come to know Christ. It is truly amazing.

Our final workshop was on disciplining your children. I never really thought that I should discipline my child according to the Bible. Sounds odd, but we must put our disciplining in the perspective of the Bible. My problem is my discipline a lot of times comes out of anger. Michael and I both are working on the controlling anger and explaining to Ashton why he is receiving a spanking. It is worth a shot, so we are going to do it.

Enough with this weekend. Here is an update on the baby. I am 8 weeks along. I have not thrown up anymore. YES!!!! I have discovered that orange juice and pregnancy don't get along with me. Now, don't tell me that I need that folic acid. I don't want to hear it. If I drink orange juice, I throw up. When I throw up, I have lost the folic acid. So I am just better off skipping the whole throwing up stage. Hopefully, I will find a doctor and go soon. My insurance will kick in on October 1. So I am excited about that.

Well, enough rambling for now.

School is awesome. What can I say? My class is the best class ever. I have no major problems in there. Yes, I do have 14 kids (10 boys and 4 girls). I love them all.

My class is so smart. I don't really know what I should teach them. This is such a relief compared to last years group.

My problem children that I was warned about have caused me no problems. The first day you would have thought that I was a mean teacher. I was and still can be. All I can say is that my class is the only class that doesn't get their lunch card punched for misbehavior. My kids can line up and walk to the cafeteria with no problems.

I started corners today. The other teachers thought I was crazy. My kids did wonderful. They are great.

Today, I took my students to their bus. The only problem is we had a bus that didn't show up. So high school and junior kids were trying to run over the little kids. We try to get kindergarten on the bus before the older kids get out. Little oh me had to take action. I got on to a fifth grader for screaming and acting all crazy. Needless to say, the rest of the group got quiet and didn't move. They became civilized. I guess Drew Central need little Lou to come there and run things for them.

Sorry for this randomness about my class. I am just so excited about having all of them.

It Is Everywhere You Go

It is everywhere you go. BULL!!!! Never had a problem before until today. Well, here is my wonderful story involving my Visa.

I received my rebate from Cingular. They don't send you a check but a visa card with money on it. They tell you that you can use it everywhere because it is a Visa card. Makes sense. I have been using the card all over town and had no problem. That was until I went to the Crackerbox to buy a snack.

I was on my way to my sister's annual review in Warren, which went great. I decided to sleep in some since I would run by the gas station and pick up a little breakfast to hold me over until I came back for lunch. My morning goes as usual. I got to the gas station and realize I better dart for the bathroom. My morning ritual of vomiting had hit. I spent 5 minutes in the bathroom throwing up my glass of orange juice for the morning. This left me little time to get breakfast. I got water and some peanut butter and cheese crackers. That always makes me feel better. I put it on the counter and the lady priced my items. I hand her the card and she looks at it pretty hard. I told her it was credit. She proceeded to tell me she couldn't take it. Needlessly to say, don't tell a pregnant woman no.

I got very upset. I would not have been upset if I hadn't used the card all over town. She then proceeded to tell me it was only $2.45. I told her I didn't care what the price was. This is a Visa card and you have the logo on your door that you take it. The she proceeded with her BS that they won't pay us so we don't take them. I said fine and then you won't get my business ever. Needless to say, I couldn't go and get breakfast anywhere else so I went to Warren barely making it in time for Hope's meeting. I did not get to eat until 1:00. It was a bad day.

Moral of this blog:
DON'T MESS WITH A PREGNANT WOMAN AND YOU BETTER TAKE HER VISA OR THERE WILL BE TROUBLE.

Praying

Wow! Was the sermon for me today? Praying, what a big downfall in my life. Yes, I pray. When do I pray? When something goes wrong in my life. I never go to him when everything is going great. This is such a shame. God is suppose to be my friend. Why can't I talk to him when things are going great? It just doesn't make sense.

My prayer life was broken the day my Mom died. I was told if I pray every day God would answer them. Being twenty-one, I didn't want her to die. What would I do without my Mom? So I selfishly prayed to God that he would not take her from. I guess this is when my hating God came in. Here he took my Mom away. I later learned that he didn't do it to hurt me.

With Dad it was a different story. I prayed that God will do what his will is. I didn't want him to die, but there must be a reason. I even prayed for him to take him because I didn't want him to suffer.

My prayer life has gotten stronger since Dad got sick with pancreatic cancer, but it is not where it needs to be. I still often only go to God when I am in a crunch and need him. I am in constant battles with making myself pray or finding the time to do it when I am alone and have no disruptions.

Testing is Over

Thank goodness most of the kindergarten testing is over. We had a great turn out. Only 12 didn't show up. I have my class list, so I am excited about that. I can't wait now until school starts. I think my class is going to be great.

I didn't get sick at all today. Woo Hoo!!! I wasn't tired. I guess it helps to get out and around. I did great. I also learned that if I unbutton my pants I will feel better. Who would think at 6 weeks your clothes would be smaller?

I am getting excited about the baby now. It was such a shock, I didn't know what to think. God wanted us to have it now, so we will. He is the one doing the planning, not me.

PS. Angela I won't put the picture up of you bowling since you based your boards. Congrats.

Sleep

There are not enough hours in the day. Why can't there be more? I have done absolutely nothing all day but sleep. I took Michael to work and Ashton to school at 8am. Then I came home and went to sleep. Pick Michael up at 11 for lunch and then back to work. You guess, then I am back to sleep. It is 2:30 and I finally decided to make myself get up. It is crazy how pregnancy can make you so tired. While tomorrow that has to stop. I have to go to work at 7:30 am and test kids for kindegarten.

Let Your Yes be Yes

This weeks sermon was based on James 5:12. You would think that one little verse couldn't contain so much information. Actually this verse is very packed with advice on life.


Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned. James 5:12


So often we tell people we are going to do something. We in turn usually find something that we would like to do better. One may not realize that they are actually doing this. I never really thought much of it until the sermon. How many times have I told someone that I would help them and then turn my back on them because I didn't feel like it. Sadly, this as happened more times than I want to recall. The other sad thing is that I have done it to loved ones that I care deeply about.

God wants us to make a commitment. When we say yes, we must mean it. Don't just say yes, and hope that something else will come up so you can't do it. It is time to stop making excuses for yourself. If you commit you better finish it. God doesn't like broken promises. This week and the rest of my life, I am going to strive to reach this goal. I want all my yeses to be yeses. I would like to challenge you to do the same thing. I am really going to make this promise to my husband. So often he gets the bunt of my yeses not really meaning yes.

My Personality

Poor Michael

Poor Michael! He has to deal with all the pregnancy hormones. I don't really get sick from being pregnant. I just become very irritable. Nothing will go right. No matter how much you do the same thing, when you become pregnant it just doesn't work. I got mad just putting together a bulletin board. I just could not get it right. Thank goodness, Michael was there to the rescue.

Well, I am in 5 weeks of pregnancy. Everything is going great. I have not been sick just very tired. As long as I eat, I am fine. I was that way with Ashton too. I can't wait to start getting my paychecks in, so I can go to the doctor and get everything checked out.

Well, I must go and cook supper for my lovely children (Ashton and Michael).

My IQ Score

Just a Day in the Life of Me

I worked in my classroom today. I am just about done. They finally cleaned my carpet so I can get that area done. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I hope to be completely done with my room by Friday. I doubt that will happen, since I have bulletin boards to finish. I can't wait for school to start.

Since Sunday, I have been at Journey every night sewing. We are sewing cool bands to hand out to people at the world series baseball games that will be here on the 11th. I am so excited about that. I love little league baseball. I can't wait for Ashton to start playing.

Well, I am about 5 weeks along. The baby should be starting to have a heart beat this week. I can't wait to go the doctor. I have to wait for my insurance to switch over from McGehee. I have not been real sick. I am just tired. I was in a bad mood yesterday. Poor Michael. Today did get better though because I found $6 in my classroom while I was setting it up. I went and ate pizza with it at Topp's.

I have three papers to write for my class. Can you tell I am avoiding it? I have been so busy and just haven't gotten around to it. Any spare time, I just want to sit on the couch and sleep. Well, I better go and clean the house or write a paper or something.