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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

What Have We Been Up To?

It has been over a month since I'd updated anyone on much of anything. So I'll give you some idea as to what we have been doing since then. Which really isn't much...

Let's see...

My parent's made a spontaneous move to St. Augustine, Florida in early September. They were going to make a pit stop here on their way, but Tropical Storm Lee had other plans. They were driving a 24ft. U-Haul, pulling their car and my grandmother was driving their van behind them. I don't blame them one bit for deciding to skip their stop here and head straight to their new home. During their stop at a hotel, my mother called. We talked about the storm and the situation. She then laughs and says, "I'm tired of lying to you being this high. You want to talk to him?" I said sure and then was like, Huh? Well, my dad, or who I thought was my dad, get's on the phone and we talk for about 30 seconds. I then asked puzzled, "Wait... Who is this?" Not recognizing the voice as my dad's. He laughs and says, "Mckinnion. Who did you think it was?" I freaked! I was so excited. I had to ask him what it was Mom said before she handed him the phone. She actually said, "I'm tired of lying to you, Boy (what we've called Mckinnion since he was fresh from the womb) says hi. You want to talk to him?" That is so not what I heard. Lol I was super excited to hear from my brother. They were going to surprise me when they showed up. I had no idea that he was moving with them. Unfortunately, life happens, and they've still yet to make the trip here. Soon... We'll see...

On September 12th I had gotten a pretty bad toothache. I'd taken Tylenol all day for, but at about 5 o'clock-ish, it reared it's big ugly head at me. I hadn't felt pain quite like it ever! I stayed home from school that night, hoping it would get better. It didn't. I couldn't sleep and my face had swollen. I looked and felt hideous! Wish I'd had taken a picture to show you. :Þ  Jonathan stayed home from work the next morning so that he could take the kiddos to their six month dental cleaning and checkup since I was feeling so miserably. He kept trying to talk me into going to the dentist or Urgent Care, but our funds were super tight that week and there was no way we'd be able to afford it. So I refused to go. He called his mother, and asked for a favor. She was seriously my lifesaver that morning! I don't know what I would have done had she not been there to help us out.

Went to Urgent Care to have it checked out. It was a severe abscess. He told me that had I not gone in when I did, I may have had to be hospitalized for severe infection. Holy crap, that was scary! He prescribed me penicillin, naproxen and lortab. He said he felt safe prescribing me a narcotic since I "looked legit." Haha! Got my prescriptions and downed them right away! Unfortunately, the penicillin made me vomit for the first two days. It was terrible! Couldn't keep anything down and was in a constant state of pain from the abscess and nausea from the penicillin. It took about a week, before I truly felt back to normal. We were able to pay my in-laws back for the doctor's visit and Rx's the following week. And I couldn't thank them enough for all the help they've been able to offer us. You are truly appreciated!

The day I went to Urgent Care, happened to be the same day the kids' dental cleaning and checkup was. They go every six months. I'll be damned if they ever have teeth like mine :( Anywhoo... Jonathan took them and Joseph had moderate gingivitis. What? I make them brush their teeth after every meal. There is no way he has gingivitis! Apparently, when I had told him to brush, he was just going into the bathroom to play. So I ended up brushing his teeth for a week after that and then watched him every time the following week to make sure it was actually getting done. I don't supervise him now, but I do random check-in's when he's brushing. So far, every time, he's actually brushing and doing it correctly. Dr. Hyde, then discussed fixing his chipped front tooth... Again! They fixed it once, and it fell off that week! If it doesn't stay for very long this time, they'll just put a crown on it instead. I imagine, that's what's going to have to happen. He plays too rough to not lose the piece they put on.  All of them are clear of any cavities and everything looks great. Still trying to get the girls to quit sucking their thumbs though. They're okay as long as they're busy. The second they stop doing anything, it's right to their mouths. Tressa has started using her shirts in place of her blanket when she sucks her thumb. Ugh! She's so rebellious! :Þ Just don't want the girls to cause any malformation of their teeth. It's bad enough Joseph is going to probably have braces. Bleh! Poor kiddos and my bad genes. (Thanks a lot Dad! :Þ)

For school, we had a scavenger hunt scheduled at the local outlet mall for the 28th. It got cancelled due to the bad weather that day. Nobody brought anything to be able to do practical work, so we ended up going to Edgewater Mall instead. For the scavenger hunt we had grouped up in no more than five people. We were given a list of things to find, like, someone with a swing bob, someone 50% gray, someone with rollers still in their hair, and we had to approach said person, explain who we were and get their permission to take a picture. It was super fun until one of the rent-a-cop's approached us and halted our fun because he said we had to have prior approval from the mall manager. UGH! We'd all made the trip so Mrs. Lynne and Mr. Morgan told us to go do some shopping, or window shopping and get something to eat to fill our time for the next two hours or so. Overall it was fun, but wish we could have done what was intended. Next time we'll know to get prior approval.

I was able to pick up my honey and take him out during his lunch break one day. It was nice to just see him and let him get out of his work atmosphere for about an hour. He needed the break. :)

Our school was cancelled on the 1st of this month, so I had a whole weekend with the family. On Sunday we decided we would get out and do something. We're always cooped up in the house. There really isn't a whole lot to do around here for very cheap, unless you want to go to the beach... And we're just not beach lovers. Right Rebecca? :Þ

We went for lunch at McDonald's since Chick-fil-a is closed on Sunday! Bleh! Then we went and played minigolf. We had so much fun! It was a beautiful day out too. The weather was perfect, it was quiet out and the kiddos were well behaved. Amaya got bored after the first hole. She looked to Jonathan and said, "I'm done playing hockey." Lol Hockey?
















After finishing our game the kiddos asked if we were going to be doing anything else. We'd gotten lucky to be able to do what we did that day. Then they started stomping their feet and bickering about how they wanted to do this and do that. My feelings were hurt! They didn't say, "Thanks Mom and Dad for taking us out. We had a great time!" It was more like "Fuck you guys. We want more." Ugh! I wasn't even angry with them, I was just hurt. Our finances are budgeted every month and rarely do we have enough extra to do something outside of the house or go out to eat. And we did both that day. I felt like they were being so ungrateful and rude. Jonathan works his ass off to provide for us and then they acted that way. I had a talk with them and felt a little better. I know that they're just kids and they don't understand things the way that we do, but it still hurt.

School is going well. SO READY to be done. I should be finished by February. These last few months seem to be going so quickly, yet so slowly. We've lost a lot of our teachers and are now down to two instructors. Hoping we don't lose another. The teacher, student ratio would not meet requirements then. Not sure what will happen if that takes place.

The kiddos are doing well in school. I still can't stand Amaya's teacher for shit. Hoping to resolve that. Joseph's class had an AR party and he told us that he'd met his goal, but was still unable to participate. I contacted his teacher and she told me that he did indeed meet his goal, but his average score was 86 and you had to have an average of 90. She then states how proud she is of him for reading chapter books. He's the only one in his class reading the chapter books, and he's only 4 points under in average and he still cannot participate! So he's penalized for reading at levels above his classmates. Lovely!

We did our costume shopping this weekend. Joseph has wanted to be a skeleton since April. He chose this costume. He's most excited about the blood. Tressa walked into the store and immediately picked out the Spanish Princess costume. Amaya was dead set on being a princess when we walked into the store until she spotted the Miss Sock Hop costume. Unfortunately, they didn't have her size. So she resorted back to her original idea and is a princess. She's so excited about it lighting up too. She's told everyone already!

A friend from school told me about a new subdivision that was being built. They have two and three bedroom houses. We drove by on Monday, hoping they'd be open so that we could see them. They were closed, but we drove around and the outsides are beautiful. The three bedrooms are only $675 a month (1350 sq ft. They also offer a 1500 sq ft but I'm not sure what the price difference is). That's only $60 more a month than what we pay now. AND they have two car garages, big yards and they'll put up a six foot privacy fence around the back yard for an additional $25 a month. I'm super stoked! We're hoping that Jonathan can get a day off this week to be able to stop by and view them. It's kinda out in the country too. But it's so pretty and quiet out there. So far, I'm already disappointed in the fact that the kids would attend Lyman Elementary. When I was substituting, I taught there three times for the first and third grade and I did not care for the teachers. They were just awful mean to the kids. I've heard that their principal has changed since then and things may be different. I dunno...

I've rambled quite a bit. So I'll end things here.
Hope everyone has been doing well!
 XOXO,

Friday, August 12, 2011

2nd Grade And Kindergarten Too!

It's been a whole week (and two days to be precise) since the kiddos have begun this school year and I've yet to even mention it. I don't feel too terribly though because Joseph's first day of kindergarten wasn't written about until two months later. D'oh!

August 4th, the apartment would be quiet. I would be alone. My babies children would all be in school. I'd be lost. I would cry, be depressed, lazy. I was surely going to miss all the screaming, the fighting, spankings, the time outs, and...

BOY WAS I WRONG!

The apartment has been so nice and quiet! There is no screaming, crying or fighting. No spankings or time outs. Just me and the apartment. I think I'm already used to it! :P

We started the day with a 5:20 alarm and a shower before waking the kiddos. Oatmeal for breakfast and out the door. 










Jonathan went into work late to be able to come and take the kiddos to their first day of school. They were so happy he was able to come. We loaded up and left the house at 6:30am to beat the traffic. We learned last year and the previous year not to leave at 7, because you won't get to the school until at least 8, and the school is less than five miles from the house. First day of school traffic is ridiculous. However, this year we got to the school at 6:45 and had to wait 15 minutes before the school opens. I couldn't believe it! There was literally zero traffic! Others were not so smart. A friend I attend school with made the same mistake we did previous years and didn't get to school until nearly 8.

We took Joseph to class first since his was closest. 


We located his classroom. His teacher this year is Ms. Stetson and her assistant Ms. Childers. He hesitated walking into his classroom while fidgeting with the straps of his back pack and one last sad look at mommy and daddy before he walked in and found his seat. I'm surprised I didn't cry then. I'm equally surprised at his hesitancy and shyness. 

We exited the second grade hall and entered kindergarten. At orientation we found out that the girls would be in separate classrooms, but directly across from one another. I found myself a little bummed about this since the lady completing their registration said she would probably put them into the same classroom. I got my hopes up, but the girls are ecstatic they aren't in the same room. Ha! 

Amaya's teacher this year is Mrs. Gipson and her assistant Ms. Rush. At orientation Jonathan and I had already decided we liked Tressa's teacher best, so I'm hoping Amaya's teacher doesn't disappoint. She doesn't seem to be very organized and she's just too nice and seems easy. I want Amaya to be challenged so she doesn't get bored and lose interest.*Crossing our fingers*

Amaya was so excited! Especially since a neighbor friend is in her class. She didn't even say bye to us. Just found a seat she liked and started coloring. *Sigh*




Tressa's teacher is Ms. Holifield (Pronounced: Holy-field). I love her already. She is super organized and up front about how she works. I think Tressa will be challenged just enough and I love this. Tressa found her designated seat and began coloring, much like Amaya. Only Tressa actually told us goodbye and asked, "Can you stay with me for just a little bit longer Mommy?" Uhhhh!!! My heart melted! I about lost it! 






After class drop offs, we walked away from the school and I was finally able to cry. I made it without crying in front of them. We made it home and I was a little sad at first. The silence was almost too much. That only lasted about an hour or two and I was steadily getting used to it. Ha!

I was happy to learn that they had such a great day! They had so much to tell me. They started yelling at one another because everyone of them was trying to tell me something all at once. I had to split it up and give everyone their 15 minutes. Lol

Joseph's day:
-"Did you make any new friends?"
   -"Yeah. Um... Melanie Parker. She's a girl." *Giggle, giggle* "And Patrick and Rodriguez."
-"What was your favorite thing about today?"
   -"Playing M&M Math because we got to eat the M&M's when we were done. Playing at PE...... And we read stories called, Monster's First Day Of School and Sam's Best Seat In 2nd Grade."

"... Me and a friend named Elijah, um... he has a name so you know what to call him..." HAHA!

Amaya's day:
-"Did you make any new friends?"
   -"Yeah. EVERYONE!"
-"What was your favorite thing about today?"
   -"Playing at recess and getting my goody bag and new book."

"I had broccoli in my salad at lunch and it was all crunchy because it was fresh! YUMMY!"

Tressa's day:
-"Did you make any new friends?"
   -"Yeah, but not a lot. Just Cassy and Anthony."
-"What was your favorite thing about today?"
   -"Nothing." She starts crying and rubbing her eyes.
   -"Why not baby? You were so excited to tell me about your day when you got off the bus."
   -"Because I didn't *sob, sob* get to go, get to, *sob sob* to go to P.Eeeeeeeee. and, and *Sob sob* recess like Amaya and Joseph's class did." Poor baby :(

"The Michael in my class is not my boyfriend Michael, it's a new Michael."

Their day's were great! They loved it! They had so much to talk about and a lot of paper work to bring me! Ugh! Hate those first few days.

Joseph and Amaya have both already pulled keys (I'll write a separate post on this later). Amaya for talking (go figure) and Joseph for being out of his seat without permission (another go figure). The girls will begin getting homework starting next week, thankfully! They've been pretty upset that Joseph has had homework and they haven't. I'm guessing they won't feel that way for long. Ha!

Joseph has his first spelling test today and I'm sure he'll do great. He's an excellent speller like his mommy! Amaya is tying her shoes like a pro. She learned last year, but over the summer her foot wear consisted of sandals and flip flops so she forgot. Joseph still isn't grasping it. He gives up too quickly and he thinks that if he doesn't untie them before taking them off that he doesn't have to do it in the morning. Wrong! I'm going to work with both Tressa and Joseph on that this weekend. Hopefully they'll master it. 

I'm already loving all of the drawings and class work they're bringing home. I've yet to get anything back from Amaya's teacher and this sadly, does not surprise me. She's been a day behind the other two teachers in having paperwork sent home too. Ugh!

I hope to see my children continue to have such good feelings about learning and school. I can't wait to see them blossom with intelligence and confidence.

More to come,
      

Friday, July 29, 2011

Did I Really Just Say That?

"Tressa, please leave my boobs alone."

"Don't be touching each others privates."

"Quit scratching your butt and picking your nose!"
 
"Stop staring at her or both of us are going to sit and stare at you!"

"Wipe your butt with toilet paper, not the Kleenex!"

"No cartoons right now. Later when Mommy needs quiet time."

"Because you are a girl. That's why you don't have a penis."

"I don't like you either!"

"Your butt itches? Probably because you're the one that denied leaving their poo in the toilet and no toilet paper was used. Deal with it."

"Stop tasting your snot and spitting it on my carpet!"

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Thankful Thursday

So it's been a month since my last post. Seriously slacking, I know! I'm going to make it short and sweet today...

I am thankful for my husband, my children, and second chances.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Always!

Yesterday while I was running around the house trying to get a few minor things done, I hear Joseph say, "I guess you don't then." with sadness in his voice. I hear him say it again. A little louder this time, obviously trying to get my attention.

"What's wrong Joseph?"
"I guess you don't love me."
"What?! Why would you say that?"
"Because you didn't say it back when I said, I love you."
"I'm so sorry. I didn't hear you son. I love you more than you could ever possibly imagine."
"Even when I'm grounded?"
"Even when you're grounded."
"Even if, like, I accidentally break something like the glass duck? I think the towel was under it and I just pulled it and it broke."
Trying to hold back laughter I answered, "Even when you break things... And even when you lie." Because of course when it was broken, a ghost had done it.

Love and laughter when your children come clean
          -Jaclyn-

Friday, June 3, 2011

Dear Tressa

I don't have just one big girl, but I have TWO! I can't win for losing, can I?! Why can't you stop growing up??? I remember when I couldn't wait to grow up and be where I am now... Why can't you NOT want that?! Please?

You weigh 40lbs. and are 44" (3ft. 8½") tall. Exactly two pounds and one inch more than your sister. You wear a size 11½, sometimes 12 shoe, and a size 5, almost 6 pants, and a size 5 shirt.

You, unlike your sister LOVE to take a nap. Just like your momma! :-D On the rare day that you don't take a nap, you love to play house with your sister and even Joseph. Unfortunately, your absolute favorite thing to do during quiet time is suck on your thumb with your blankie. Thankfully you don't have to have the blanket or suck your thumb at all times... just when you're bored. Mostly when you're watching TV or going to sleep. It's been quite the experience trying to get you and your sister to quit. The blankets are allowed in the living room until you're seen with a thumb in your mouth and we've tried educating you in as simple terms as possible the effects of sucking your thumb can have and still you insist. I should have known this would happen when we saw you sucking your thumb in the sonogram.

You're a nonstop chatterbox! Well, that's really all three of you. You will tell anyone and everyone every single thought that runs through your mind. You love wearing my high heels through the house and pretending you're going to the grocery store in them. Unlike your brother and sister, you would rather stay inside coloring all...day...long! You LOVE to draw and color. Most all of your pictures end up being drawings of ballerina's or our family at a birthday party. Lol

You are the most caring little big girl. You love to hug and kiss us and are always making sure to tell those around you how much you love them. You are so easy to like and are easily attached to anyone that comes around.

There are a million things you learned this year! You learned to read, how to tell time on a digital clock, and you learned to make your bed without help. Now we just need to work on you keeping your glasses on! You are so ready for kindergarten and so I am not...

Here is to the sweetest, kindest, most perfectly imperfect daughter and sister a parent could ask for.

Love,

         Mommy & Daddy

Dear Amaya

Welcome to the "big girl" stage! At least that's what you practically told me the morning of your birthday. "We're big girls now Mommy!" Said with so much excitement in your voice. I swear I had to hold back the tears. Joseph is seven and now my baby girls are five... *Sigh*

According to the bathroom scale you weigh 38.4lbs and if I am using the tape measure correctly, you are 43" (3ft. 7½") tall. You wear a size 11½,  sometimes 12 shoe and a 5 pants and shirt.

You no longer take naps, but we have our designated quiet time for one hour after lunch. During quiet time you read a book, color, play quietly in your room, or take a small nap if you want. The naps are never part of your quiet time. You never took naps when you had a nap time. Mostly you play "house" with Tressa or read a book.

You are the most independent child I've known. You take great pride in learning and doing things on your own. You would rather spend 30 minutes trying to open your goldfish snack than ask for help. Your favorite things are playing house, riding your new bike and singing every song you shouldn't (Ciara- Ride, Rihanna- S&M, etc). You love reading and are obsessed with princesses. Your favorite things to say are, "Dang!", "What the heck?!", and "That's not fair!" (You definitely picked that one up from your brother. He's been on quite the "It's not fair." kick lately.)

You recently developed a fear of taking a shower with the door shut. We've been trying to teach you and your sister to be a little more modest (Lol) and part of that is shutting the bathroom door when showering. You keep telling me it's scary, but I can't get an answer why from you.

You learned so much this year. You learned to tie your shoes, you were able to stand in front of a crowd and sing or read without stage fright, you're able to calculate simple addition, and are able to tell time on a digital clock. All of those things before you even reached kindergarten! I can only imagine what you'll learn this year. I just love how eager you are to learn. Hopefully you never lose that about you.

Here's to being five... to being a big girl... to being an amazing daughter and sister.


Love,
          Mommy & Daddy

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Birthday Tressa

 Tressa!!! You are FIVE years old today! Why won't you stop growing up????

Every year we have a questionnaire for them just to see if and how their answers change. It's a lot of fun really. Some of the questions are nonsense but it allows me the opportunity to see even more how they think by how they respond to the question. Like, "What is your favorite scent?" It's just interesting to see their responses. You can see Joseph's here, and Amaya's here.



2010's Questionnaire


Favorite Food?     "Carrot."
Favorite Drink?     "Water."
Favorite Cartoon?     "Little Einstein's."
Cartoon Character?     "Tinkerbell."
Favorite Movie?     "Dinosaur."
Favorite Animal?     "Elephant."
Favorite Toy?     "Gina doll."
Favorite Color?     "Blue."
Favorite Letter?     "T."
Favorite Number?     "2."
Favorite Story/Book?     "Tinkerbell."
Favorite Song?     "You Are My Sunshine."
Favorite Game?     "Mine!"
Favorite Holiday?     "Birthday."
Favorite Day?     "Sunday."
Favorite Season?     "Fall."
Favorite Scent?     "Snow." Didn't know snow really had a smell.
When you grow up...?     "Mommy."
Children when you grow up?     "Two. And they're names are going to be Amaya and Joseph."
Boyfriend?     "Joseph." *laughs*
Favorite thing about school?     "Playing."
Least favorite?     "When we leave."
Best friend?     "You!" (mommy)
What do you want to know or learn before you turn five?     "To be a ballerina."

2011's Questionnaire


Favorite Food?     "Hot dogs and macaroni and cheese."
Favorite Drink?     "Punch and juice."
Favorite Cartoon?     "Gumball." I have no idea what that even is! Some cartoon they found on Netflix.
Cartoon Character?     "Strawberry Shortcake."
Favorite Movie?     "Disney Princess Enchanted Tales."
Favorite Animal?     "Sheep."  Ooooookkkkaaayyyy!
Favorite Toy?     "Baby Gina."
Favorite Color?     "Pink, purple and white."
Favorite Letter?     "T."
Favorite Number?     "1. Like a baby who is one years old."
Favorite Story/Book?     "Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales."
Favorite Song?     "The kindergarten and head start ones we sang at graduation (from head start)."
Favorite Game?     "A race. I loooooooooovvvvveeeeee to race."
Favorite Holiday?     "Halloween, Christmas, aaaaaaannnnnnddddddd Halloween."
Favorite Day?     "May! Our birthday!"
Favorite Season?     "Spring."
Favorite Scent?     "Pizza."
When you grow up...?     "Cheerleader!"
Children when you grow up?     "Just maybe one."
Boyfriend?     *Smiles* "I always tell you it's Michael, Mom! Do you know how to spell his name? I can help you spell it. He's fiiiiiiiivvvvveee, going to be siiiiiiiiixxxx! He's my boyfriend because he's handsome." Wow! Save me from her teenage years please!
Favorite thing about school?     "Play in areas and outside."
Least favorite?     "When we didn't take naps because I am always tired."  And Amaya's least favorite was having to take the nap. Lol
Best friend?     "Desiree." No more Mommy :-(
What do you want to know or learn before you turn six?     "I want to learn how to do a lot of exercises."


Hello Kitty Goodness!
          -Jaclyn-

Happy Birthday Amaya

5... Five... FIVE! You are FIVE YEARS OLD today!

I can't believe it!

Every year we have a questionnaire for them just to see if and how their answers change. It's a lot of fun really. Some of the questions are nonsense but it allows me the opportunity to see even more how they think by how they respond to the question. Like, "What is your favorite scent?" It's just interesting to see their responses. You can see Joseph's here and Tressa's here.


2010's Questionnaire


Favorite Food?     "Pizza."
Favorite Drink?     "Cherry juice."
Favorite Cartoon?     "Dora The Explorer."
Cartoon Character?     "Spongebob Squarepants."
Favorite Movie?     "Tinkerbell."
Favorite Animal?     "Fish."
Favorite Toy?     "Mickey."
Favorite Color?     "Pink."
Favorite Letter?     "A."
Favorite Number?     "1."
Favorite Story/Book?     "Wall-E."
Favorite Song?     "ABC's"
Favorite Game?     "Seek and Find with Daddy."
Favorite Holiday?     "Our birthday."
Favorite Day?     "Saturday."
Favorite Season?     "Winter."
Favorite Scent?     "Clean clothes."
When you grow up...?     "Mommy."
Children when you grow up?     "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10-- A LOT of babies. MY babies."
Boyfriend?     *Laughs*
Favorite thing about learning time?     "Coloring."
Least favorite?     "Time out."
Best friend?     "Mommy, Tressa, and Joseph."
What do you want to know or learn before you turn five?     "School."


2011's Questionnaire


Favorite Food?     "Oatmeal and cereal."
Favorite Drink?     "Kool-aid." Which is weird because they don't get to drink Kool-aid.
Favorite Cartoon?     "Dora The Explorer."
Cartoon Character?     "Dora."
Favorite Movie?     "Dragon Tales."
Favorite Animal?     "Pig."
Favorite Toy?     "My fairies."
Favorite Color?     "Pink, yellow, silver and gold."
Favorite Letter?     "A."
Favorite Number?     "1."
Favorite Story/Book?     "Bob The Builder."
Favorite Song?     "Dragon Tales theme song."
Favorite Game?     "Dress up like princesses."
Favorite Holiday?     "Christmas."
Favorite Day?     "Our birthday."
Favorite Season?     "Spring."
Favorite Scent?     "Pizza."   
When you grow up...?     "Princess ballerina."
Children when you grow up?     "FIVE!"
Boyfriend?     "Uh... NO!" That's my girl! ;-P
Favorite thing about school?     "Playing outside."
Least favorite?     "Sleeping, like at nap time."
Best friend?     "Tey and Desiree."
What do you want to know or learn before you turn six?     "How to play Yahtzee by myself."


Hello Kitty Celebrations
          -Jaclyn-




Thursday, May 26, 2011

Thankful Thursday

It's been a while... I find I get into these ruts of not wanting to write more often than not. I'm thankful that I get to be lazy a lot. 

I am ever so thankful that my brother Joshua is alive and well after his accident. He is definitely a lucky bastard. I am thankful that he was given a second chance to think about his life and hopefully take it into a new and better direction.

I am thankful that when there was not the slightest chance of the driver making it out alive, that he did. I hope that in the seriousness of it all he considers making a change in his life. Setting an example for his children and family. 

I am thankful that my parents were able to see their oldest son graduate high school and celebrate his 18th birthday. Never thought I'd see the day he'd be wearing a cap and gown. I am ever so proud of him! Next step a job and college! ;-)

I am thankful that my best friend was able to enjoy a healthy pregnancy and an amazing delivery of her third baby! Miss Neeley is beautiful! Congratulations Kloss family!

I am thankful for great friends, karaoke, designated drivers and chapstick guards! 

I am thankful that my children are amazing bundles of screaming fits, tantrums, and "Mom, you're a meanie!"'s Let's me know I'm doing something right. Lol

Cheers to being grateful and thankful
          -Jaclyn-




Thursday, May 19, 2011

Tressa-isms

"Can I tell you a secret Mommy?"
"Sure."
She pulls me down to her level and whispers in my ear...
"I am in love with Demarius!"
He's Joseph's friend... She's already got eyes for his friends!!! What am I going to do?! 
I am really dreading the teenage years... Pray for me...


"Can you play that song."
"Which song?"
"S,S,S and M,M,M. with the girl singing."
I'm just going to have to keep my earbuds in at all times!


"Me and Amaya look unfoolish now with our glasses."
Haha! Unfoolish... Wow!

 

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Amaya-isms

"Boys have cooties. Girls have booties and boobies!"
She then laughs hysterically at her discovery. Lol

"Can I get on the scale?"
"Sure."
Gets on scale..."36.2, Tressa and me weigh the same!"
I get on the scale... It reads 158.6...
"WOW! You weigh a lot of numbers, Mom!"

"Tressa is being a brat and I am a princess, huh Mom?"

"What is shepherd's pie?"
Joseph: "It's like a pot pie, but made by a shepherd."
(I forgot to add that to his post, so I'm posting it here since Amaya was the one who asked him. Lol)

"I am so excited for kindergarten!"

Friday, May 13, 2011

Joseph-isms

"Mom. YOU'RE A MEANIE!" *Sob, sob, scream, scream*

"But the teacher's are lying! I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Do you know why I wrote my name different like this?"
"Why Joseph?"
"Because Jamie did it to her J too and it was looking good."
"What did it look like?"
"She did it like a ring around it like in space and stuff."
"Like rings around a planet, like Saturn?"
"No like something that has milk or something."
"Like the milky way?"
"Yeah. Like that" Then shows me his new way to write his J. (Picture below)

**Jonathan looked over at his spelling homework to see him writing in his milky way font. Lol**
 He was highly upset that we made him start over and write the correct way. 



"When are we going to get another baby Mom?"

"I love riding my new bike."

"I PULLED ZERO KEYS MOM!!!"

"Can I have money?"
"For what?"
"To buy a field day shirt?"
"How much is it?"
"It's kind of a lot... Like $20 or something."

"I am so excited you don't have school tonight Mommy." Then gives me the best hug!





Sunday, May 8, 2011

Things My Mom Taught Me

Ever since I can remember, I knew I've always wanted to be a mom. Then at 15, I was scared shitless to learn I would soon become a mother. I broke the hearts of my parents, and honestly, at that time I didn't care who I hurt. I felt that I was the one that needed the consoling, the sympathy, I was hurting too dammit! I was scared, lost, confused. I had dreams of finishing high school, attending college, THEN getting married and having children... This was ALL WRONG! It wasn't supposed to be this way!

When Joseph was placed into my arms I just knew that everything was going to be okay. I was a mother and that feeling will never be forgotten. He was beautiful. He was perfect. He was my son.

There was a quote I once heard that went something along the lines of 'what you teach your son, you also teach your son's son.' I find this very true. As much as I hate to admit, I find myself saying things and doing things that my mother once said or did to us. Each time I laugh to myself and think, "Holy shit... I'm my mother!" I have learned a lot from my mother. Things weren't perfect and most of the time I wished things were different, but in all of the imperfections and craziness, I learned to be the best mother that I could.

My mother taught me that we are not perfect, we are human and we will make mistakes. But in making those mistakes we are taught a lesson that will never be forgotten.

She taught me to stand up for myself. To let nothing and no one get in the way of my success. She taught me to be proud of who I was and to stand firm in my decisions.

I learned that no matter what goes wrong or how much your children tell you 'you're a meanie' they still love you.

I learned not to sweat the small things. Like the time I was so angry the girls had written on their walls, but while scrubbing it away, I saw Tressa had finally spelled her name right.

There are so many more thing that I have learned and even more that I have yet to learn. I only hope my children see me as the best teacher they'll have in their lifetime.


Happy Mother's Day Mom,
          -Jaclyn-

Monday, April 18, 2011

Dear Joseph

     Seven... Seven years old you are. I'm sure I will say this over and over, but it seems as though it were just yesterday you were born and placed into my arms where your daddy and I gazed upon you for hours. I know every parent has asked "Where has the time gone?" but I just can't help it!

     You weigh 51.2 lbs. (I know! But he wouldn't let me continue writing without adding the .2 lol. He kept saying "51.2 MOM! Not just 51!") and are 49" (4ft. 1 1/2") tall. You wear a size 1 1/2 shoe and a 6/7 pants and shirt. Although the pants must be worn with a belt and still adjusted as much as possible on the inside. Skinny as all get out! I swear you eat more than I do!

     You've lost some of your "neediness" and uncertainty about things and are more enthusiastic and curious about the things you do and the things around you. You ask A LOT of questions, and that's really great, but why didn't anyone warn me about this stage?! It's a never-ending trivia nightmare around here. You're still cursed with my OCD, but are getting better at adjusting to change and basically rolling with the punches.

     Your behavior at school has improved drastically this month! In the 11 days of school this month you pulled a total of only four keys! That's fantastic! That's usually your daily quota. It makes me that much happier knowing how excited you get from such an accomplishment! You've gotten home with a smile on your face every day... Well... except for that one day, and exclaimed how many, if any keys you pulled that day.

     You accomplished many things the last year. You read your first Harry Potter book, you were on the A honor roll the first quarter and have been on the A/B honor roll the remainder of the year, you're getting better with counting money, you didn't break any bones :-P. I asked you what your favorite accomplishments were this year and you told me you learned how to ride a bike, you got better at math, and you read a lot of books. Things you say you want to accomplish this year: Learn to drive a car (good luck with that one!), Learn to play a new game, and read a really long book because you want to try and read faster. I love your goals. I love that you have goals.

     I love it when you tell me I'm the best mommy ever or when you wake me in the morning just to give me a hug before you watch cartoons or when you tell your sisters how much you love them. You're an amazing little boy and I am so proud of the man you will surely become. Mommy and daddy are so in love with you! You make our days worth all the while.

Love,
    Mommy & Daddy

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Happy Birthday Joseph!

6a.m.... "Mom! Mom!" Joseph yells, while he shakes me as roughly as he can. "Can I watch cartoons?" "Yeeeeessssss!", I mumble. "Don't forget to tell me happy birthday!", he practically yells. I mouth "happy birthday"... I couldn't possibly forget today is his birthday!

My Joseph is SEVEN today! Seven whole years old! I'm perplexed at how fast time goes.

Every year we have a questionnaire for them just to see if and how their answers change. It's a lot of fun really. Some of the questions are nonsense but it allows me the opportunity to see even more how they think by how they respond to the question. Like, "What is your favorite scent?" It's just interesting to see their responses.

Last years questionnaire.
  1. Favorite Food?     "Burritos and corn dogs."
  2. Favorite Drink?     "Orange and cranberry juice."
  3. Favorite Cartoon?     "Spongebob and Umi Zoomi."
  4. Favorite Cartoon Character?     "Patrick Star."
  5. Favorite Movie?     "A Bug's Life."
  6. Favorite Animal?     "Gorilla."
  7. Favorite Toy?     "Lego's and my castle Auntie Becca got me."
  8. Favorite Color?     "Blue, pink, and green."
  9. Favorite Letter?     "J."   
  10. Favorite Number?     "1000 and 100."
  11. Favorite Story/Book?     "The Happy Snowman."
  12. Favorite Song?     "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."
  13. Favorite Game?     "Blue's Clues."
  14. Favorite Holiday?     "Halloween and Christmas."
  15. Favorite Day?     "Sunday."
  16. Favorite Season?     "Winter, I like the snow."
  17. Favorite Smell?     "Candy."
  18. When I Grow Up?     "I'm going to be an astronaut!"
  19. Kids When You Grow Up?     "I want four mommy!"
  20. Do You Have A Girlfriend?     "Laughs hysterically and answers, "No!"
  21. Favorite Thing In School?     "Recess."
  22. Least Favorite?     "The end when we have to clean up and get on the bus."    
  23. Best Friend?     "Hunter."     
This years questionnaire.

     1.  Favorite Food?     "Cereal."
     2.  Favorite Drink?     "Milk. I like white, chocolate, and strawberry together."
     3.  Favorite Cartoon?     "Spongebob Squarepants."
     4.  Favorite Cartoon Character?     "Patrick Star."
     5.  Favorite Movie?     "Ponyo."
     6.  Favorite Animal?     "Snakes."
     7.  Favorite Toy?     "T-rex!"
     8.  Favorite Color?     "Brown."
     9.  Favorite Letter?     "C."
   10.  Favorite Number?     "7, like how many I'm going to be on Saturday!"
   11.  Favorite Story/Book?     "Toy Story."
   12.  Favorite Song?     "Airplanes- BoB."
   13.  Favorite Game?     "Black Ops." (x-box)
   14.  Favorite Holiday?     "Easter. I saw the Easter Bunny one time!"
   15.  Favorite Day?     "Thursday because people come to the classroom and read to us then we make something like my hermit crab that broke."
   16.  Favorite Season?     "Winter."
   17.  Favorite Smell?     "Clean stuff." He must get that from me. Lol
   18.  When I grow up?     "I want to be 21! *Laughs* Oh! And a teacher too."
   19.  Kids When I grow up?     "Like 8 or something." Good luck buddy!
   20.  Do You Have A Girlfriend?     "Serenity. But not all the time, only sometimes."
   21.  Favorite Thing In School?     "Books."
   22.  Least Favorite?     "The library." "*laughing* But you just said your favorite thing was books, Joseph." "I only like the books in my classroom." Lol
   23.  Best Friend?     "Juan Rivera."


It still amazes me how much they change in as little as a years time... *Sigh*


Off to celebrate!
          -Jaclyn-

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Here... Have A Blue Ribbon!

Joseph is going to be 7 in just three days! He's so excited! Every morning he runs to the calendar to count and see how many days are remaining. It's so cute!

For the lasts two years Jonathan and I had told him that he could invite friends and have this big party. One, because it was to be his fifth birthday, so we wanted it to be extra special. That year, things didn't go as planned financially and we told him that we would make it fun and special without having over a bunch of friends or having a huge professionally baked and decorated cake, and without all the balloons and pinata's. He was very understanding. It made my heart break.

The next year we got our apartment. We had to go to Missouri and get our things from storage and move it all in. So things yet again, didn't go like we had promised him. Again, he was very understanding and I cried... a lot.

This year I was determined to give him what he had been "taken away" the previous two. He decided on having a pirate party. He picked out the invitations and goody treasure chests, and he's so excited to have his friends join in and have a sleep over. We had 12 invitations. He made a list of who he wanted to invited and we made them up and loaded them into his backpack.

The next day after school he walked in the door and declared with tears and sobs,

"My teachers are MEAN MOMMY!"
"Why Joseph? Did you pull a lot of keys today?"
"NO! They wouldn't let me hand out my invitations!"
"How come?"
"Because they are MEAN!"

The next day I sent a note with him to school telling asking his teacher to allow him to hand out his birthday invitations. Today I get a phone call from her. She tells me that she cannot allow him to hand out his invitations unless he had enough for the entire class because it wouldn't be FAIR and would hurt the other kids' feelings! "It isn't my rule it's the district's rule. I even brought him into the office with me to talk to the principal and let her tell him the rule because he was quite upset with me.", she tells me. "I can give invitations to all the boys if you want." Lady! You just told me you couldn't give them out unless there was enough for everyone and now you're telling me you can give them to all of the boys?! How is that deemed "fair or not hurting the girls' feelings?" Ugh!

To shorten my story I'm pissed off because of the whole "fairness" ordeal here. Life isn't fucking fair! Yes, they're kids, I get it. But why allow them to earn a participation ribbon because they didn't actually win anything on field day? That's like expecting a raise for not giving a damn at work among many other things! Ugh! This just burns my ass!!!

Life isn't fucking fair! Teach them now...

Bleh! Enough of that... I didn't even plan on writing this, but I just couldn't quit thinking about it so it probably seems more rambly than anything... Thanks for "listening" to me bitch. :-)

Ready to celebrate and have a great party
          -Jaclyn-

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Thankful Thursday

After an emotional discussion with a fellow student I see that I have so much more to be thankful for than I could ever possibly imagine.


I am thankful for life. To have been able to wake and take my children to school. For close friends and family, even if I want to strangle them most days. I am thankful for being able to pay my rent, utilities and have a new car.

I am thankful for knowing I can go to sleep and know that everything is going to be okay. I am thankful for knowledge and sanity (most days) and happiness. Thankful for being able to attend school and accomplish something and witness a greatness amongst others.

I am thankful for her. Thankful for her heart, her smile, her life... I'm going to make her days better!


Be thankful... You never know when you might not see them again...
          -Jaclyn-

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Five

As of right now I have 5 drafts waiting for the remainder of their post to be written and published as I sit to type this instead...

For the last week or two I have had absolutely no desire to write. What...So...Ever! Two of my posts require pictures, which I've not even uploaded from my camera... So to let you in on some of the posts... Here are a few snippets that will eventually be posted... Maybe...

"Boys have cooties..."
"...She did it like a ring around it, like in space and stuff..."
"I'm sure I've said this time and time again, but I am terrible about keeping in touch with anyone..."
"...we ventured out and did something..."
"Suck and spit..."

 So I'll hopefully be clicking the publish post button sometime this week...


Until next post...
          -Jaclyn-

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Tressa-isms

"Michael is my boyfriend. Because I love him. He is beautiful too because he always has curls in his hair after a shower." "How old is Michael?" I ask. "Four! Duh!" After laughing I ask, "How do you know what his hair looks like after a shower?" "Because he is brown, Mom."

"Mom! What is this for?"
Me: "I have no idea, I cannot see it from here."
"Yes you can! You have your glasses on."

"Cops don't do this Joseph!" (Long story...)

I ask Jonathan, "Guess what I made on my freaking test last night?"
"Um... 30." (I know, he's so confident in my abilities, right?)
"A 75%! I was so pissed about that!"
Tressa: "Ooooo, Mom. You shouldn't say that bad word!"

"Boys have  uglies, girls have cuties!"