You're Going to Miss This.....

and so the song goes...........  "One of these days....you're going to miss this"

Ashlyn has been giving us fits at bedtime.  Mainly she keeps saying that she doesn't feel like trying to go to sleep.  She still naps about 4 or 5 days of the week and it doesn't matter if she napped that day or not, she wants to fight us at bedtime.  It is so frustrating.  I find myself losing my temper with her and Brandon is so calm and reasonable with her.  I wish I had his patience and calm demeanor with them.  However, today I was thinking how minuscule this is going to be when she is a teenager and we are arguing about boys, curfews, grades, etc.  Yes, one of these days, I'm going to miss bedtime arguments with a toddler.

Today we went to Stone Mountain for a little while to enjoy some fall activities.  Tomorrow we are all going to hike it.  We'll see how that goes.

Full Time Teacher (and Mommy)

I had an interview Wednesday morning and found out yesterday I got the job.  It is a full time teaching position at Cooper.  Cooper is the school my kids will go to--Ashlyn will be in Kindergarten next year. I will be teaching gifted accelerated classes to 2nd and 5th grades pulling from the regular ed classes.  It is a great position and one that a lot of teachers want.  In fact, the principal told that a lot of teachers at Cooper would have wanted this position but we are already 9 weeks into the year and she just can't pull a teacher from a regular ed room at this point in the year.  So I have lucked into the position.  Unfortunately, with the economy, that doesn't mean that I have the job next year.  However, it does have me a foot in the door at the school I want to be at.  So I'm hoping to be teaching there when my kids are there:).  Fortunately the private preschool my kids are at has aftercare and I have a few friends willing to take them in the morning.  Brandon and I just sat down and figured out cost of childcare and it is going to be almost 1/3 of my paycheck going to childcare......  When he is home, he can drop them off at school eliminating before care.

I know it will be a big adjustment for the family but I can't pass up the opportunity.  At least I will have 10 days off at Thanksgiving and a few weeks at Christmas not too far off.

You Stink

Will it ever stop?  Today in the car, I was playing bible songs.  B-I-B-L-E came on which is Chloe's favorite song.  Chloe yells, "I don't like this song.  Song--you stink!"  So we had a long conversation about using appropriate words.  I'm sure something will stink tomorrow......

BTW in an earlier post, I stated Ashlyn's knowledge of planets and wondered if she was learning them at school.  Nope it's the Ipad.  She sure does know a lot about them too.  For those of you who have the pleasure to speak to Ashlyn, she sometimes has a hard time pronouncing words or getting some letters mixed up(she is in speech therapy).  Well she can say Uranus perfectly clear and even laughed afterwards saying it 'sounded funny.'

Weird Encounter at the Grocery Store....

I was getting a pound of turkey at Kroger and I asked for Private Selection because the kids have been putting away about a pound a week or more.  There was a guy in a Boars Head shirt and he asked why I didn't get Boars Head.  I said that I do sometimes but that my kids have been eating it a lot and it is cheaper blah blah blah.  He said well if I give you the Boars Head brand today at the price of the Private Selection brand, would you get it?  I said sure.  So when the guy went to the print out the ticket price, he asked the Boars Head guy what price to put in. He said, "I'll just give her cash and handed me $5.  I tried to give it back and he wouldn't take it.  The Boars Head brand was 9.99 and Private Selection was 7.99.  I thought that was weird and then the guy behind me asked for the same deal and he said he was out of cash......

You Stink

Lately Chloe has been saying "You Stink!" to whomever makes her mad.  For example:

Ashlyn:  Chloe do you want to play mommy?
Chloe:  No I want to be the mommy
Ash:  No I'm the mommy
Chloe:  No I am.  You stink!

Random boy at McDonalds play area:  Do you want to play with me?
Chloe:  No.  You stink!

Me:  Chloe you need to eat the rest of your dinner.
(a few minutes pass)
Me:  Chloe are you done?
Chloe:  Yes
Me:  No you need to eat two more bites.
Chloe:  No.  I don't want to.  You stink!
Me:  What?
Chloe:  I love you mommy.
(pause)
Chloe:  Does that make your feelings feel better?

Don't let this sweet face fool you!!!!!!!!

Too Big and Too Small

So I'm not a big fan of pillowcase dresses but that seems to be the easiest thing to make.  So I made one without really measuring just to see if I could do it.  It was too big but Ashlyn loves it and insists on wearing it to chapel.  I'll fight that battle on Wednesday.  I tried to make a Halloween dress also.  I did measurements.  I didn't do them right.  So Chloe's dress is too small.  She insists that Ms. Tubbs will love it.  I guess I have that battle to fight also.

It looks like years separate these two but they are only 13 months apart

On the other hand, my husband--yes my husband---has become quite the purse maker.  Many of you will laugh who read this but he is really good at it.  In fact he has made solo trips to Jo Anns to buy fabric.  He said a lady stopped and said she loved the pattern he chose and where did he get it.  Oh my!  For those that don't know him, he is SO NOT the sewing type of guy.  He is currently working on a big project of making me a purse and I must say it looks really good so far.  I'm a little jealous.

Opportunities Abound!

So my first solo project is complete and my model seems to like it.  I will be honest though.  I started out with high hopes of making a dress.  As it began, I quickly changed it to an apron because it was easier for my first project.  I must admit that I'm pretty proud of myself.  Yes, it is not perfect.  However, I am learning and Ashlyn loved it and Chloe was mad that she didn't have one.  So the projects will continue...................

On a side note, I have two prospective job opportunities at two different schools nearby.  Both are great schools and I would love to work at either one.  One is full time and one is a weird part time where I would teach one class in the morning and two after lunch every day--not exactly ideal.  I pretty much have the part time position if I want it.  It will work out with the kids' schedule but not sure after it's all said and done if it is worth it money-wise when you consider gas/an hour of aftercare/part time status.  So we are praying about it and hope that things work out.  Full time would be an adjustment for the whole family but I'm not sure I can pass up this opportunity (if I get it).  So if anyone feels like sneaking in a prayer for us, we would gladly appreciate it!

A God Moment For Sure

Today in my Bible Study class we talked about God Moments.  I definitely had one today......


The day that we put Shelby, our dog, down, the kids had Awana.  When Ashlyn came home, she had a Bible in her bag.  She asked my husband to read from it and when he opened it up, it had the name Shelby on the inside.  We asked Ashlyn who gave her the Bible and did someone write that inside.  She said she didn't know but thought her teacher gave it to her.  She knows the teacher well and we assumed that Ashlyn went in and told them about Shelby and that maybe her teacher sent it home with her for comfort.  So tonight, I took the kids to Awana and one of the teachers stops me and asks if a white Bible went home with us the other week.  I said yes and she said it belonged to another girl in the class.  I proceeded to tell her about our dog passing away that day and we weren't sure if it was a gift or not and Ashlyn wasn't sure.  She said that it belonged to Shelby, a girl in the class.  How ironic is it that there is a girl in the class named Shelby, our dog's name was Shelby, and Ashlyn comes home with a Bible with the name Shelby in it the day that we put her down???  What a God moment!

We don't always take the time to look for God in our daily life.  It usually happens when we are praying or really searching for something in a time of need.  God is with us each and every moment and we need to take the time to see Him.  Think about your day.  Did you have any God moments?

A True Housewife

While growing up, my mom could sew anything. She hemmed her own clothes and could make anything.  Being a full-time working mother, she didn't have all of the time to make a lot of things.  She was always running three kids to practices, games, and events.  I was such a tomboy that I never paid a bit of attention to cooking and had zero interest in sewing.  I made a comment to Brandon that all of Ashlyn's 5T dresses are too short but I can't go any bigger because they hang down and show her 'dots.'  A good friend of mine has been making some really cute dresses and I happened to mention that I think I could do it.  So guess what comes in the mail?

Sewing and Embroidery Machine

I went to Jo Ann's to get some fabric and found a lot of really cute patterns and am excited about it.  While the lady was cutting my fabric, she said it was so nice to see young people sewing.  I didn't comment back.  When I got in the car I started thinking that I haven't been called young in awhile.  Hmmmm.

So tomorrow I am taking Sewing 101, a class at Jo Anns.  Maybe I'll post a picture of my first project---maybe not......

Myrtle Beach Trip

 So we were at Myrtle Beach for a week.  Brandon was only there a few days and then had to travel for week.  Fortunately the kids were great and I enjoyed the rest of the week with my little fishies.  Take a picture trip with us..........

Ashlyn loved being buried in the sand

Chloe did not like sand in her face(or anywhere else)

Spitting out the sand in her mouth!

I LOVE THE BEACH!

Showing Daddy how to putt

The playground at the resort

WEEEEEE

They had kids activities.  They made bracelets, painted banks, and got their faces painted.

Doggy

Rides at Broadway at the Beach.  I didn't know this one went that high until I put her on it.  However she didn't care and rode it numerous times.

Kid pool

Getting ready to 'fish'

Fishing for duckies?

I only went to the Disney Outlet.  HONEST

Ashlyn wanted to stay in the pool the whole time. Not Chloe

My kids hog the camera.  Brayden is behind Ashlyn

One of my good friends was at the beach the same time as us.  So we met up for dinner.

Ryan is not so happy about getting his picture taken

We stopped at the Columbia Zoo on the way home.

HAHAHAHA

Add caption

Lion King

September 11th Remembered

Where were you when the world stopped turning?  I was in my first year of teaching a class full of innocent children not too far from DC. I remember the AP going door to door telling the teachers but also telling us not to tell the students because several had parents that worked in DC. Over the next few hours, my class slowly diminished as parents came to pick up their kids. The other kids questioned why others were getting picked up and I had to play dumb. At lunchtime we turned on our tvs in one teacher's classroom to see what was going on. This is when I found out a plane went down in shanksville PA which is a mere 20 miles from my mom and dad'a house. Less than a minute of flight time and it could have been a lot more devastating for me. After work I went back to my apartment alone where I graded papers while watching the news coverage wondering what was going to happen next. The next day I did my best as a young 22 year old to answer questions from my students. After all, I had only been teaching for two weeks and was clueless myself.

Are They Learning About Planets at School?

I was mailing Grandparent's Day papers that the kids made at school and this conversation entailed:

Ash:  Where do Grandma and Pappy live?

Me:  Far away

Ash:  On another planet?

Me:  No a place called Pennsylvania

Ash:  No you're joking.  They live on another planet.  I think they live on the one that is hot and red.

RIP Shelby Jealousy Pemberton 2002-2012

This is not a post I wanted to make.  At the moment Brandon is taking Shelby to be put to sleep because I am too much of a basketcase about it.  Shelby has been having issues the past year and moreso the past three months(seizures, accidents, urinary tract infections, weight loss, throwing up, bacteria in urine).  She has been on three medicines this summer and nothing has helped.  I can't bear to watch her when she is having a seizure and thank God that the kids have never seen it.  She has dropped 25 pounds in the past two years and hasn't eaten a thing in three days.  Brandon finally got her to eat a hot dog last night and I was scrubbing carpets at 2 am.  I know it is her time and that we can't let this go on.  She has given us 10 great years.   I would like to share some memories:

1.  When we decided to get a dog ten years ago, we weren't married.  We picked out at a dog at the SPCA and then later received a phone call that we couldn't get that dog because it was being trained to be a seeing eye dog.  We liked this other dog named Ruby but she kept yipping and I didn't want a yipping dog.  Well we got Ruby who we renamed Shelby and later picked up the middle name of Jealousy.  She never yipped so we always said she was calling out to us.

2.  Brandon and I got married the next year and our evenings and weekends were spent taking Shelby to the park and for walks.  She loved to catch balls and frisbees.  One night, we came home to pieces of green plastic laying around only to realize that Shelby ate almost the whole frisbee.  Oh and it was a sight when it came out!

3.  Shelby used to get car sick when we would travel from Virginia to PA so the vet gave us some medicine.  We decided the carrier was too confined for her so I bought a puppy dog seat belt at PetSmart.  I thought she was in there good and tight until she jumps on my lap as I'm driving and later onto my feet.  I still don't know how she got out of that thing.

4.  She earned the middle name Jealousy because she was always pushing my hand away from Brandon if we were touching.  It was so funny.  I would put my hand on him just to see what she would do.  She would see me, come running over, and push me away with her nose.  She loved Brandon more than anyone.

5.  One time we were eating dinner at our apartment in Orange, VA.  She took a running start and tried to jump on the table.  She didn't make it but it was quite funny.

6.  We snuck her in a hotel room through a window once.  :)

7.  I was soooo afraid how she would be when Ashlyn was born but she was great.  She let Ashlyn to do whatever she wanted to her.  Trust me, Ashlyn would pull her ears, tail, and try to sit on her.  She may not have got much attention once the kids were born, but she was always a great dog.

I could go on but it has been a pretty emotional day.  We told the kids and had them say goodbye to her.  Ashlyn was so great about it.  She told Shelby that she'll get to jump and chase cats in heaven and she won't have to sleep.  She also said that she'll get to eat whatever she wants and not get sick.  As the kids went up to nap, Ashlyn put Shelby in our bedroom and told her to lay down and close her eyes because the angels would be coming to take her away.  Ahhh a full day of tears for me.  Ashlyn had more questions and I answered them as best I could.  She seems to have a great understanding of God and Heaven so I am hoping for the best.  Chloe didn't say anything but she wasn't as close to Shelby as Ashlyn.

So RIP Shelby Jealousy Pemberton.  We will miss you.

To the Moon and Back......

I read "Guess How Much I Love You" tonight and the last page says 'I love you to the moon and back.'  So I told Ashlyn that I love her to the moon and back............

Ash:  That's far..

Me:  Yes it is.

Ash:  I think I love daddy that far....to the moon and back

Me:  You do?  What about mommy?

Ash:  Yeah I love you to the moon and back too.  oh and chloe too and shelby.  Can I love dogs to the moon and back?

Me:  Yes

Ash:  (as I'm leaving the room) MOMMY!!!!!

Me:  Yes??

Ash:  I love Carter to the moon and back too.

Uh Oh.  She's already in love...........

Firsts.....

We had a few firsts this week....

Chloe's first homework assignment:

The kids' first time doing Awana at church:

Our first tomato from the garden:

Our first tomato-eating hornworm:(

I don't have a picture of this but Ashlyn ate alligator for the first time at Claude's Off the Bayou.  The kid who won't eat anything LOVED it.  I tried it and thought it was good but I can't get the picture of an alligator out of my mind.........