Checking In...

Well, the second day of school is over and we are halfway into the third. The mornings have gone extremely well considering how early everyone has to get up. I imagine that will change as we all get settled into routine and start getting more comfortable. The kids are actually riding the same bus which is nice because I don't have to worry so much about Brayden. (Now if I could just keep them from fighting with each other...lol)


Brayden did have a couple of notes in his folder last night about not listening and keeping his hands to himself. Killian, one of his best friends from Miss Edies, is in his class and apparently they wanted to play instead of listen. I talked to him about it last night and again this morning trying to reinforce that this is school now and he has to follow Ms. Sprouse's rules.


Got an email from Killian's mom Holly today and she was stopped by Ms Sprouse when she dropped Killian off this morning. Apparently Ms Sprouse feels that we were negligent in allowing the boys to be in the same class together. We should have requested them to be in different classes and that they were just feeding off of each other. Ummmm...I am sorry. As a teacher, isn't that your responsibility to control those types of situations in your classroom? I mean, first of all, the school district could not possibly be able to separate every child who knows each other in their classrooms. Secondly, I am not there during the day to hand hold my child. I can talk to him at night and impress my expectations, but she is the teacher. It is up to her to follow through with the rules of the classroom and maintain order. I am not one of those mom's who believes her children are angels (Trust me, I have been through this many years with my high spirited first born, lol) and I don't think that teachers should be responsible for everything but c'mon! It is only the 2nd day of school and he is only 4 years old! Kids will be kids and it is up to her to teach them the way when they are in her class!

Okay, off my soapbox. I just seem to go through this every year and it just frustrates me to no end. I believe wholeheartedly in parental involvement but there is only so much we can do when we are not there. KWIM?

Today was the first day of school. The kids were so excited. Here they are for the traditional backpack/front porch shots. Peyton was the only one without a backpack so she insisted on holding her bag. lol

Of course, I had to take them to their schools on the first day. How embarrassing, I know. lol
Skylar took this one of me and Brayden waiting for the bell. He was a little distracted by all the pretty girls. One little one kept "looking at him" so he hid behind my leg. I am pretty positive that will change quickly. lol

Brayden wanted to take a picture too so here is his version. Not bad except for Skylar not looking at the camera. lol

Here is my big boy walking in to the school for his first day of Kindergarten. :*)

He found his spot on the rug and was happy to pose for pictures. One kiss, one hug and a distraction by the teacher and I was gone. No tears for either of us. lol

Skylar led the way to her school. She is starting 3rd Grade this year. I can hardly believe it!

She was all brave until we got to her classroom and then the nerves kicked in. Can you see them? lol Went in with her and got her situated and she was fine. Can't wait to hear all about the Big Day!

Latest News

Well, it has truly been forever since I posted and I really hadn't intended to return to the Blog World in quite this fashion but there it is. I started this blog to document our daily lives...the good, the bad, and the ugly...and I have to tell you, it has gotten pretty ugly around here lately.

This weekend I had to ask my husband of almost 9 years to move out. Things had gotten to a point where, for the sake of our children, we could not go on the way that we were. So, today we spent packing up all of his belongings and moving him across town to his parents. It was undoubtedly one of the hardest days of my life. I was quite proud of the way that I handled myself and didn't break down until his truck was pulling out of the drive carrying a lot of our 10 years with it.

I can't decide how I am feeling right now. Relief that the decision has been made and that it is over. Anger that I wasn't enough for him. Fear of what the future holds for me and the kids. Anxiety about how we are going to make it on our own. Shame that once again I have failed. Regret over the love that is lost. Alone in my big empty bed.

I don't know what the future has in store for us. I wholeheartedly believe that God has a plan for me and am trying with all I have to keep believing in that. I know that I made the right choice for myself based on the way things have gone the last few days, but it is so hard to let go of all those dreams and hopes that we shared. There were so many things that we were going to do. So many places to see and dreams to accomplish. As hard as it is to see through the fog right now, I know that there will be a brighter ending.

I am a strong person. I can do anything that I set my mind to and my children are the most important thing right now. I will be strong for them. I will pull myself together for them and be the best Mommy that I can be. They did not deserve this. They did not ask for this. All they have ever asked for were two parents who love them unconditionally. We are going to give them that but separately from now on.

I apologize for the sadness of this post. Writing for me has always been cathartic and it helps for me to get things written down. This has been no exception. It is a way of venting I suppose. My plan is to continue updating the blog now (hopefully with more cheerful news, lol) and letting people know how we are doing. Hopefully I will also get up some pictures and some crafty things.

Thanks for listening. God bless!

I found a cute blog game over on the site of a fellow demo named Julie that I read a lot. You are supposed to go to Google and then google your name like this... "(Your Name) needs" with the quotation marks and then see all the interesting thing that pop up. I will bet some are dead on and some you didn't even know you needed! lol Here is what mine comes up with...

1. Katie needs…hula lessons (Could be fun!)
2. Katie needs…to work on her posture (Most definitely. I think somebody's watching me!)
3. Katie needs…to be on her own (How did they know I needed a vacation?)
4. Katie needs…YOU (If you are reading this, then I definitely do because most likely you are someone special in my life and even if I don't say it a lot, I truly do!)
5. Katie needs…to use the litter pan on her own (Didn't know about this one but hey, if the kids aren't following me in there, I might be willing. lol)
6. Katie needs…parenting classes (Awwww, c'mon. I try!)
7. Katie needs…a rest (AMEN)
8. Katie needs Gas Money (AMEN x 2)
9. Katie needs to talk at talking times only (LOL)
10. Katie needs to say NO (Does that work???)
11. Katie needs love 'n' affection. (Doesn't everybody?)
12. Katie needs to realize what she has gotten herself into!! (LMAO I am there!)
13. Katie needs a family who will be patient, giving her time to trust and feel comfortable.
14. Katie needs a wand. (Calgon take me away!)
15. Katie needs to run far, far away. (See previous comment)
16. Katie needs to put all the pieces together. (I don't think that ever fully happens)
17. Katie needs organization and order in her life. (Oh yeah!)
18. Katie needs months of rehab. (Not so much)
19. Katie needs to make a life-sized Blue Fairy Penguin by Friday (Now, that sounds like fun!)
20. Katie needs to update more often. (So true, so true)

Valentines

So, the kids are all having their Valentines parties today in their respective classes. Last year, Skylar made hers to take but I went ahead and bought Brayden’s and Peyton’s. This year, since everyone has been really in to crafting, I thought “Oh, let’s just make them all and have a crafting party” 62 Valentines later…OMGosh! Lol I think next year we will either have to buy them or start before the night before! Lol

Anyway, we made little Valentine card covers to go over a Valentine sucker. I had all the paper already cut and pre-signed and just let the kids decorate as they would. Brayden was so excited to see the names on them. I am not sure exactly how he did it, but he could look at each one and tell me exactly who it was for. They must practice their names a lot for him to be able to “read” them. Skylar was very serious about hers. She personalized each one for the person it was intended. It was cute to see her thinking about what each one would like. And Peyton, she just wanted to stick the stickers. I had to tell her who each one was for as she got to it and sometimes even got a little story. “Joey bite me. Nelson bad today. I wike Lane.” Too cute and I think they turned out great!

Skylar's Labor of Love

Brayden's MasterpiecesPeyton's Works of Art

This is the kids this morning as they were getting ready to go party. Peyton and Skylar have decided that hairbows are the way to go and if one has them, then the other must too. I think they are pretty durn adorable

Brayden had to get in on the action too. No piggy tales but a big V-Day grin.

Check out the cute bags - Giveaway

Check out the cute bags over at Tiffany's site! http://tinyseamstress.blogspot.com/ She is having a giveaway and it is just gorgeous. Make sure you leave a comment and say that I referred you for an extra chance to win!

Intentions...

Well, my intention was to be better with this blog but hasn't been the case so far. I have been swamped and just didn't feel up to it but I am going to make it a priority!

I am in week 3 of the diet. I did really good the 1st week as I thought I would. Lost 7 pounds of mostly water weight since I cut out the salt, Dr Pepper and snacking. Didn't do so great last week. I had a short week since I had to weigh in Tues night and I had gained back .8lbs. So overall, I am at a loss of 6.2lbs for the month so I will definitely take it. I have to weigh in Thursday and I am figuring to be about the same. I had a horrible week with lunches in during my auditor training and dinner out two nights. I did not eat very good nor did I keep up very well with my points. The scale is pretty much hanging around the same mark though so for that I am grateful. I will be happy to just have not gained anything. The girls at work are thinking about joining Curves so maybe that will help get me back on track. At least we can force each other to go and hold each other accountable.

In other news, tomorrow is the BIG DAY for my little brother. At this time tomorrow, he will be a husband and a father! It is so hard to believe, but I am so happy and excited for them. I told him that one day he would find his princess and I believe that he has. Heather seems amazing and we all can't wait to meet her and Evan and welcome them to the family. I am so sad that we can't be there tomorrow but we will definitely be there in spirit. We love you guys!!!!!

The kids are all doing fine. Skylar got her report card on Friday and she did amazingly well. Best one she has had since starting school. She will also be testing in April for the Gifted and Talented program so that is exciting. Brayden is working hard in Preschool at Miss Edies. He can almost write his whole name now. I am just amazed at how well he is doing. And Peyton, thank the Lord is finally potty trained! She took to it pretty easily but we had a lot of accidents. For the most part, she does really well. I am so proud of her.

As for me, I am still crafting. Have been mostly organizing my space again. I have found so much stuff that I didn't even remember having. It has been fun. I am also excited about a new opportunity that has come up. Our church has started a bunch of ministry teams and our pastor has been speaking about each person doing their part. I had been feeling led for a couple of Sundays to do something, and finally decided that I was being called to start a card ministry. I approached him about it last week and he loved the idea. I have been doing some research on it and will have to put together a proposal, but I am so excited about making a difference with my creative talents. I feel like this is a way for me to do God's work and reach out to our congregation and the community. I will share more as it comes together.

In the meantime, Matthew and Heather, you are in our thoughts tomorrow and God bless!