time has flown

Okay, well apparently I'm bad at this updating thing. You'll have to forgive me. I'll try to shorten all that has happened since the end of Sept.

Alex is doing well in school. He was having a few "issues" with his behavior. Nothing really big. I spent a few afternoons with him, just the two of us. We played Wii one afternoon, we went to the library and we went to Sonic (he LOVES it there). After those 3 afternoons he started calming back into his usual behavior. I think sometimes we get so busy that we forget to spend 1 on 1 time with the kids. Don't get me wrong we do spend time with them. It's just it's normally Chris with Alex and me with Aidan. We're trying to switch each weekend and spending a few hours with each kid. It seems to have made a happier impact on the family as a whole. Alex did get his first report card, and we were very proud of him! He's starting to read already, and catching on really quickly.

Aidan for the most part has been great. I got a call at work a few weeks ago to pick him up for being sick, but he was okay after that afternoon. On Monday of this week, I got a call at work saying he had a 102 temp. I picked him up, gave him medicine and spent Tuesday with him. He didn't have a fever at all on Tuesday. Sent him back to school on Wednesday, and got a call around 4 in the afternoon saying he had a temp of 103. I pick him up, and they stop me on the way out to tell me that another kid in Aidan's class had just been diagnosed with walking pneumonia. Great! So this morning, just to be cautious, I brought him to the doctor. He has PNEUMONIA AND STREP! My poor baby! He had a shot at the office, and is taking augmentin and mucinex. Hopefully we can kick this thing quickly.

Chris, wow what do I say. Well at the end of October (the day before my bday), I got a call at work from him. He told me that I needed to come bring him to the ER. Apparently he was fixing one of the steel railings in the warehouse when a forklift came by and knocked it over. The brackets on the rail went into Chris' head. He had 3 gashes in his head, with 12 stitches total. I was a wreck, but we had lots of support from family and friends!

Chris' branch location has decided to downsize. Uh oh, right? Well you see, Chris just got a massive raise, a few weeks ago. But he called me literally 10 mins ago to tell me that layed off all but 5 people in the warehouse...basically the management team was left. They're all on salary, and they're all going to be taking a cut. His GM has promised that if he has to take Chris' salary, he'll give him the same amt at an hourly rate. Time will tell.

That brings it to me. Nothing really has happened with me. Just working, going to class, and trying to take care of my family. It's been a long stressful semester. But it's gonna be worth it when I'm student teaching next fall. I was kind of promoted at work. I'm now a front-end supervisor. I can audit registers and things like that. I enjoy it.

Okay, well so much for my shortened version. I'll try to update more than every 2 months from now on!

much needed

The four of us went on a last minute trip to NC this weekend. So many things brought us there, but it was definitely a much needed get away. Chris has been working ridiculous hours lately, and way beyond stressed. He's also been really sick. The weekend just gave him time to relax and get better. His parents pastor a church in Arden, NC and we just spent the weekend with them. We didn't do much of anything, just kind of sat around and relaxed.

We left around 8:30 from Hermitage on Friday night. We traveled for an hour and 15 mins, and I made a comment about how well we were doing on time....bad mistake. Literally 10 seconds later, we hear a pop and alot of "flop, flop, flop"-ing. We had a blowout. We had gone 112 miles. Chris tells me that as far as he knows, we don't have a spare in the truck. I ask him to check anyway, while I call around to figure out what we should do. He finds a spare, but realizes we don't have the lug wrench thingy. His AAA card is in his truck, and they can't find him in the system. I eventually find the old card and then they find him. They say they'll send out a truck to get us a wrench. We sit there...both kids asleep...both parents tired and on edge. A cop pulls behind us, helps Chris change the tire, escorts us to a gas station to put air in the tire. We proceed to drive to NC, going 52 mph....for a total of 7 1/2 hours. We went 200+ miles on a "doughnut". Do you know how dangerous that is? Anyway, we made it safely to his parents house. We got a new tire on Saturday, and realized that we have had 3 flat tires in the last 2 months, and bought a total of 5 tires in the last 3 months. No more flats please!

After we got back on the road I started thinking how lucky I am. I know it sounds frivilous, but I am extremely grateful that Chris was there and able to change the tire. I think sometimes I take for granted all the things he does...even the little things. I don't know how to change a tire, change the oil (or add it for that matter), or do anything like that. I found myself asking Chris about random things that he knows how to do (like roofing, I didn't know he had done that before). Anyway, I made sure I told him how grateful I was especially for the little things.

Okay last thing. Aidan started potty-training hard core last week. The preschool told us that he was ready for underwear....I didn't believe them. He's done super well! No accidents, even from driving this weekend. We're really proud of him...and really really happy that we don't have to buy diapers anymore. Between diapers and pull-ups we were paying about $40 every 2-3 weeks. Okay, that's my novel for today!

english please???

So I had to go pick up my bridesmaids dress in Cool Springs, on the way I noticed that the gas station by the stadium was at $3.55. I bypassed it, thinking I could get a better price somewhere. I get to Cool Springs, get the dress, grab Chris lunch from Calypso and head back to Keystone. After lunch, I notice gas prices are at $3.99. So I take my chances and head over to Shelby Ave hoping that gas was still cheaper there. It was at $3.59 so I get gas there. I'm waiting on my turn, and I notice this nice Lexus pull up. I'm on the phone with my mom and the driver gets out. I look over and he looks at me as I'm telling mom it's LenDale White! He sees me say his name and he kind of smiles, I guess because a girl actually knew who he was. (BTW, he plays for the Titans...I think he's a running back...not sure). Anyway, so I pull in, fratically texting Chris to tell him...but trying not to look like a big idiot. I start pumping and the passenger side window starts rolling down and I look up. It's yet another Titans player (who's acting like a big baby right now...) and I guess a friend of theirs. The friend says hey to me, asks me how I'm doing and then utters these words "let me holla 'atcha Ma". What exactly does that mean? Is that english? So, it kind of made it awkward when I explain to the guy I'm married, with kids. I really wanted a pic, or at least an autograph...but how do you do that when you've shooed away one of their friends? Anyway, so now all I've got is my memory...no proof. But if you talk to anyone who spoke to me afterwards, I'm sure my excitement could be all the proof needed. So if anyone wants to stake out the Exxon outside LP Field around 2:30, you might catch a Titan getting gas. And btw, even LenDale White was making a big deal out of the outrageous gas prices. If he's complaining based on his salary, I wonder if he can imagine what the rest of us are feeling.

still amazed

So my car has been breaking for the past week and a half. It's a major issue since we own a car and a pickup truck...so if the car breaks we can't fit into the truck. Anyway, so I didn't get a chance until this past Friday to bring it up to the mechanic, but just to get an idea of what it was and how much it was going to cost. I was waiting on a call from work to go in, so I couldn't stay long. Basically, I have had my serpentine belt replaced twice over the course of 2 months. The second time also required a replacement of the turn-y thing-y that makes the belt...well...turn. We had that replaced on a Monday, 2 weeks ago. By Friday it started making this loud shaking noise. We open the hood to realize that the part that was just put on is shaking and vibrating. But, like I said it took me a week to get it to the mechanic. He wasn't sure what was going on and told me to bring it back in today after class. So that's what we had planned on. But, Sunday on the way to church the car starts "misfiring". So much so that I need to hold the clutch in extra long to keep the car from stalling. And while I'm idleing I have to hold the brake and rev the engine at the same time so the car doesn't turn off. Fast forward to today. I'm on my way to class (on I-24) getting off at Fessler's Lane, and the car stalls...going 65! I find out that I tested out of a class and start to leave TNU, and head over to Keystone. It's almost 2, so that means Happy Hour at Sonic. Yeah, the car stalled 3 times trying to back out of my parking space...and about another 15 times on the way to the mechanic. We never make it to Sonic :(. Anyway, we really didn't have money to fix the car (but definitely didn't tell anyone that), but like I said we needed it. The mechanic fixes it, and when I ask him what I owe him (typically would be in the $150-$200 [if not more] range for what all he had to do), he tells me "not to worry about it". I've been praying for a week that God would help me figure out a way to get the car fixed. I've been stressed beyond all reason and God had someone say "don't worry about it". We've been going to Joe since I was preggo with Aidan and he knows all of us well. God takes care of us time and time again, so why do I always try to figure it out myself? Anyway, my long "little" story for today. And if anyone needs a car fixed, The Mechanic's Shop in Madison is a great place!

ramblings

So I started school this week. Yay for being in classes again! They changed out all of the faculty in the education department, and kind of downsized since the last time I was there. So, not only do I not know any students in the department, now I have to meet and get to know all new professors.

Now, if you know me really well you know that when I'm around people I don't know I become very introverted. I normally just sit quietly and try to mind my own business. But while doing this I felt God tugging at me. So, I'm gonna share my thoughts and you guys let me know what you think.

I found myself (not purposefully) listening to others conversations while being quiet and waiting on classes to start. Not necessarily eaves dropping, but most conversations were loud enough for people in the whole room to listen to. I actually have a very vivid image in my head of a particular conversation. I think that most people at Trevecca are Christians. Most were born and raised Nazarene, and have generations upon generations of Nazarene heritage. But, there are people at Trevecca that aren't Christians...even some people that we may think are...aren't really. So being in majority isn't it our "job" as Christian peers to show them the way a Christian should be? Shouldn't we distinguish ourselves from the outside world? Now I'm not talking about preaching at every person we see, or even wearing dresses and suits and our hair in buns. But I do think that we should avoid unrighteous things. I'm kind of dancing around the issue I'm particularly thinking about...so lets just go for it. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in the building others up according to their needs" If you can't figure out where I'm going, keep re-reading ;) I have found myself gossiping or "sharing in love", but after the last couple of days I've been more aware and removed myself from those situations and conversations. I pray that I will continue to feel this conviction anytime I attempt to talk about anyone else. I keep going back to the "he who is without sin cast the first stone" thing. I don't really know where I'm going with this, just trying to share my jumbled thoughts.

I also found myself reading Levi's earlier this week. And tada! we discussed it in my Family in Society class today. I think as a married woman, I take for granted all that Chris does to help me out. So when I find myself without him for some brief period of time I'm lost. I absolutely can't imagine what it would be like to be a single parent. So, thanks Chris for all that you do that I don't give you near enough credit for! Okay, I'm done with my ramblings, gotta go pick up the boys from school!

as promised

Here a few of the pics of the first day. Sorry it took so long to post, but the camera is only working some of the time...guess it's time for a new one! Enjoy!

mission completion!

Okay, so not really....but I did talk to Alex's teacher this morning. I had promised him that he could walk to his classroom by himself today, but I felt I needed to speak with his teacher to at least set up a conference. As I was going to drop him off there was another mother speaking with her....asking about the rules of the uniforms. So I'm quietly waiting for my turn when the other mother asks about the HUGE class size. I second the question and his teacher explains. They are only allowed 20 students in a Kindergarten classroom...plus 10%, so 22 total maximum (remember she has 37?). Okay, so the 2 ELL (ESL when I was in school) classes have 16 students each, but the TWO regular classes have 37 each. On Tuesdays they have to turn in numbers for each of the class sizes. So tomorrow they will turn the numbers in to the school district office, then a teacher from a surrounding school that maybe doesn't need that extra teacher (so her class could easily be spread to other classes without going over the max) will then come to Neelys Bend. This could take up to 2 weeks, but supposedly it should be fixed by the middle of September. Of course by my calculations that would still leave two teachers with 25 and one with 24....but much better than 37! So good, they are trying to fix the situation. The other mother leaves and I inquire about the folders. She says they will start coming home next Monday, she doesn't have enough right now. She also says she only has 20 math books, reading books, etc. She was really really nice to us, which is completely different than what I see in the afternoons after 37 kids have driven her insane! As I was leaving she was getting a substitute. He wasn't really there to be a substitute but an assistant. They have given them assistants until the class size issue is fixed. I knew that the school had to be working to fix the issue, but at the same time I knew I needed to make sure they weren't just going to leave it like it is now.

Okay, well I have to go balance the checkbook and try to figure out how to give Trevecca $200 so I can start school next Tuesday....stupid new admission fee!

so confused!

Okay, so I'm a little confused on how to handle a situation....so I decided to post it to see what all you moms (and dads) think.

As you guys know Alex started school Monday. He gets in the car, tells me school isn't fun (he couldn't play on the computers which equals no fun). He got in trouble that morning because he didn't fold his hands in his lap during circle time. He told me his teacher wasn't nice. He gets a note sent home saying that starting Monday she will send home folders and behavior sheets. Okay fine. Tuesday I go to pick him up from school. They have a rule that the kids have to remain behind an orange cone and raise their hands when they see their parents. This prevents kids from running out into the parking lot with moving cars. Well, Alex forgot. So, as soon as he sees me standing in the grass he starts to run to me. I remind him to go back and raise his hand. As he's going back his teacher grabs his arm and kind of yanks him back into line. I was upset...but thought maybe it just looked worse from where I was standing. He gets in the car and tells me he got in trouble again, this time because he said "hi" to a neighborhood kid in the hallway. Wednesday goes fine. Thursday I go to pick him up and have an issue with a rude teacher...personal issue, he was rude...nothing to do with Alex. Fast forward to today (Friday). He gets a note sent home again. There are normally 4 Kindergarten teachers, but one quit over the summer leaving them with only 3 Kindergarten teachers. Not my problem, the school should have hired another. She says because of this she is left with 37 students in her classroom. So, she will not be sending home folders or behavior sheets because there are too many children in her classroom to do this on a daily basis. Her letter also included A LOT of grammatical errors. I understand the common 1-2, but spell check and grammar check can normally fix the majority of the problems. This letter had 10 errors.

So here's my issue...I don't know what to do. His teacher is one that *obviously* has tenure. I don't want to be one of "those" parents, but being an education student and one that is about to get her own classroom, I know how a classroom SHOULD be ran. So I'm stuck between the teacher in me and the parent in me. Both have issues with this teacher, but the teacher in me knows what it's like for a parent to pick some petty issue and harp on it. However, the parent in me doesn't feel like it's petty. She grabbed my child...and hard. He told me in the car it hurt. So what do I do? I want to give her the benefit of the doubt and stick it out for a couple of weeks...but I don't know if I can make it that long. The school just got a new principal, last year he was the principal at the school that a couple of our friends from church teach at. One of our friends knows one of the kindergarten teachers at his school, she's supposed to be really good. Ahh! I don't know what to do!!! What do you think??? Am I being petty?

****So I feel I should edit this a bit. My issue for the grammatical errors is nothing more than this is the teacher that will teach my son how to read and do basic writing. I'm not picking on her or anything, just pointing out that these mistakes are more noticeable when you're teaching Kindergarten. I should also point out that Chris is having major issues as well. He's the one that was pointing out all the grammatical errors, I didn't even say anything. Which, if you know Chris REALLY well, you know it's a big issue for HIM to pick up on those mistakes because usually he cannot see them. I also think that I should maybe schedule a conference with her during her planning time. This will allow me to talk to her one on one without bringing the principal in on it.****

that's so funny!

Alex is so funny. So we're into day 4 of school, right? Yesterday was the first day that he went all day, and he seemed rather tired last night. He was completely ready for bed at 8. So, he got himself into bed and went to bed all by himself (without us even realizing he was asleep). Okay, this morning I went into his room at 7:15 to wake him up. We have to leave for school around 7:45 (it takes about 5 mins to get there and school starts at 8). Anyway, I open the door and he yells "no". I went back into his room and he says, "I just want you to close the door and let me sleep. I just want to SLEEP!" lol! 4 days into his school career and he's already asking to sleep instead of go to school. Silly boy! I have a feeling he won't be waking up until around 10 or 11 on Saturday!

He's off!

Alex started school yesterday. It's been a while since I've been so distraught over something. It's my little boy, and he's now having to do things for himself. Now don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's in school. He's been going to preschool off and on since 2004. The last preschool he went to (Two Rivers Baptist) was awesome. They really prepared him for Kindergarten, and his teacher (Ms. Katie Holmes...no seriously) was exceptional. Anyway, so back to yesterday. Metro schools have implemented a uniform policy. He can wear dressy or casual dressy pants and shorts (navy, black, khaki); and polos, turtlenecks or button ups (solid red, navy, white, green, yellow, light blue). Nothing more...no coats when it turns cold or anything. So he gets ready for school, we take a few pictures and we leave. Now, he got out yesterday (and will today too) at 11:30. I thought it was at 11, so there was no possible way they would eat lunch at school right? Yeah, wrong...I know owe the cafeteria $2 because I didn't send him with lunch or money. Okay, so we get out of the car and walk to the school...he's holding my hand the whole time, and very quiet. We enter the school and he lets go of my hand. I tried to hold his hand again and he says "Mom (not mommy), I'm big now I don't need to hold your hand." Completely crushing. I compose myself and we get to his classroom. His teacher ushers him in, brings him to his desk. She asks me to fill out his transportation papers and then we're rushed out. I didn't even get to tell him goodbye. He just sat right down, and became a little boy instead of my baby. I cried the whole way home, and most of the time he was gone. This morning was better, we dropped him off, he said goodbye and we left. Aidan on the other hand still keeps asking, "where Ally at?" It'll get better right? I'll post pics when Chris can fix my camera...it says I need to format the card which means that I would lose the pics.

On the way home from dropping him off yesterday my serpentine belt flew off. Great! We just replaced it in June, which means something else is wrong. We bring it to the mechanic who tells me that my crankshaft pulley broke off. So, after we pick Alex up this afternoon we'll head over to the mechanic to have it fixed. He gives us greatly discounted labor rates, probably because we're in there so much...but he says it's because he knows we have 2 small children and one income. We've been going to him since I was preggo with Aidan, so he knows us and our cars really well. Okay, well I'm going to go spend some quality time with the only baby I have left :(

So it begins

Upon looking and reading through a few of our friends' blogspots, Chris thought that maybe we should get one. It looked "cool" according to him. So here I am, blogging. Of course this isn't the only reason for the title of the blog. Alex starts school on Monday. It seems unreal to me that he could possibly be even close to starting school. He isn't 5, but it Metro-Nashville school systems, he only has to be 5 by Sept. 30th. He is so super excited about going to school though. He keeps telling me he's ready for homework, something I'll be reminding him of when he's 16 and complaining!

Aidan turned 2 on Monday. He had a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse party, a show that he's absolutely obessessed with. I'm still new at blogspot, and can't get the pictures at the bottom...I'll get better, I promise. Until then his pictures are at the top.

Chris is still at Keystone, shock I know. I start back to TNU at the end of August for my senior year (FINALLY!!!).