I can't sleep (damn vicodin), so may as well blog.
The kids are off to a good start. Kiarra said Jr. High is “great” and Jayden said this year is “the same.” Kiarra is already preparing for her first dance (in 4 weeks) and a pool party with her choir group! Seriously?!!? I’m quitting my job and homeschooling! Anyone know a good “work from home” gig?
Kiarra gets herself up every morning by 6 and is showered and ready to go by 6:45, including eating breakfast. She is up and gone before Jayden is even out of bed – crazy! She has mastered opening her locker and getting from class to class without being late. She’s met new friends and connected with old ones – so far so good.
Jayden is getting the hang of changing classes too. This is his first year for having more than one teacher (besides the normal switching for music and p.e.). When he got home yesterday I asked him what he learned… this was our conversation:
Me – Jayden, what did you learn today?
J – Ummmmm, I learned that you can’t do anything by yourself.
Me – Really? What can’t you do by yourself?
J – You can’t cure cancer by yourself.
Me – True, what else?
J – I don’t know, that’s all we talked about.
Me – Ok. Well, what else did you learn today?
J – I don’t have head lice.
Me – [laughing] well that’s good!
J – Yea!
I share this with you for 2 reasons, the 1st reason is that I think it’s insane that they talk to 3rd graders about cancer and the 2nd reason is that I’m sure he learned more than that (or not) but of his 7 hour day, he remembers cancer and head lice. I’ll never understand! Moving on…
We make a point of eating dinner together every night. Now and then Jeff works late or I’m out of town with my job but I’d say 98% of the time, we all sit together at the table and have dinner. We have a routine, I do all the cooking, each of the kids has chores to get the table ready and Jeff cleans up (most of the time). Last night was no different, Taryn got the placemats and forks and put them on the table, and then I asked her to get the cups of ice water since Jayden was doing something else. She is so obedient and does what we ask of her the majority of the time with a smile and good attitude. She literally says “please and thank you” for everything. Ok, let me rephrase or re-explain. She asks “Mommy, may I have milk tonight please and thank you?” or “Mommy, can I play with my toys in the bathtub please and thank you?” It is adorable. We’ve explained that she should wait until we answer to say “thank you” but she insists on saying it all at once. She still apologizes for things that are clearly not her fault but her feeling get hurt anytime anyone is upset so she feels the need to apologize. It’s hard to believe she will be 4 in just 3 ½ months.
I had my cat scan on Monday and it showed a kidney stone. I finally know where the pain is coming from! I’ll find out next week after another x-ray the plan to remove or blast it. It’s been a brutal week of pain and missing a lot of work! Of course missing work isn’t always so bad considering I don’t have to look at or deal with the bully but I’m falling behind and have a ton to do before the end of the year. I’m going to do my best to stay committed to my promise to the kids in that I won’t work when I get home from work (at least not until they go to bed). Oh yea, bought another camera so pics of kids trip to NO coming soon.
Tomorrow marks the 2nd anniversary of Grandma Nilmah going Home to be with Jesus. RIP Grandma! We all miss you.
I can hardly believe that summer is already coming to an end. The kids start back to school on Monday - Tamia in 7th, Kiarra in 6th, YES 6TH GRADE, and Jayden in 3rd. They’ve had a great summer and are looking forward to starting. Kiarra went to the Jr. High last night and to get her supplies, schedule and locker info. Wow, what a disaster that was. First, we had to park a mile away because there were SO many cars. Then, hundreds maybe even a thousand people roaming the halls trying to figure out their home room class, lockers, lunchroom, gym, etc. It was not only students; the majority had their parents and their 13 siblings with them! It was hot and irritating that there was no direction, just walk in and figure it out and there may be a 7th grade cheerleader around to point you in the right direction (or in our case, the wrong direction). Kiarra walked her schedule, met all her teachers and learned to open the combination pad lock on her locker. That may not seem like a big deal, but she’d never used one before so it was a learning experience. Jayden will find his classroom and meet his teacher tonight!
I’m so blessed to have such great kids. Jayden has practically mastered being a gentleman and is such an awesome kid. Taryn still amazes us everyday with her cute little smart self. She has the best imagination. Her latest cuteness happened yesterday morning as I was trying to get her out the door to daycare.
Mommy: “Taryn, get your shoes we need to go”
Taryn: “Mommy, my shoes are too small”
Mommy: “Taryn, they fit fine yesterday so please go get your shoes”
Taryn: “My feet growed when I was sleeping my hair growed too”
Mommy: [laughing] “ok Taryn, we’ll look for new shoes this weekend”
Taryn: [so excited] “We will? You will buy me new shoes tomorrow?”
Mommy: “No Taryn, this weekend. Tomorrow is Thursday. This weekend is in 20 days or so” (I know, I lied)
Taryn: [irritated with me now] “Mommieeeee, this weekend IS tomorrow”
Mommy: [laughing and being sarcastic] “Are you sure Taryn, I think this weekend is in 20 days, go ask sissy.”
Taryn: “UGH. Mommieeee – you’re sooo annoying me, it is toooomooooorroww”
Me – [laughing of course] “OK OK Taryn”
She’s been saying “annoying” quite often but saying it in the middle of this conversation was too funny. She is hilarious. She frequently updates us on her puppy and her kitty and how they bite her and how the puppy barked all night and kept her awake. I love her imagination.
As for me, I’m still struggling with my health, a new but old problem this time. I’ve been having some major stomach problems, so bad that I’ve hardly been to work. The stress of the bully I work with, my new job, Jeff’s new job, hiring a nanny, and just life in general has finally caught up with me. This all started a few months back, along with the migraines, when the mean lady at work started attacking me. I go in for a CT scan on Monday so although I’m not looking forward to drinking that nasty barium again (I just drank it Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning because I was supposed to have the scan on Wed but it was cancelled), I am looking forward to finding out what is wrong with me. I literally look 7-8 months pregnant and the pain is unbearable. It’s just ridiculous!! Jeff has been so supportive and helpful throughout these past few months, especially the past 2 weeks when it really got bad. He is the best!
(sorry no pics again... I promise to get a camera this weekend)
Kiarra gets herself up every morning by 6 and is showered and ready to go by 6:45, including eating breakfast. She is up and gone before Jayden is even out of bed – crazy! She has mastered opening her locker and getting from class to class without being late. She’s met new friends and connected with old ones – so far so good.
Jayden is getting the hang of changing classes too. This is his first year for having more than one teacher (besides the normal switching for music and p.e.). When he got home yesterday I asked him what he learned… this was our conversation:
We make a point of eating dinner together every night. Now and then Jeff works late or I’m out of town with my job but I’d say 98% of the time, we all sit together at the table and have dinner. We have a routine, I do all the cooking, each of the kids has chores to get the table ready and Jeff cleans up (most of the time). Last night was no different, Taryn got the placemats and forks and put them on the table, and then I asked her to get the cups of ice water since Jayden was doing something else. She is so obedient and does what we ask of her the majority of the time with a smile and good attitude. She literally says “please and thank you” for everything. Ok, let me rephrase or re-explain. She asks “Mommy, may I have milk tonight please and thank you?” or “Mommy, can I play with my toys in the bathtub please and thank you?” It is adorable. We’ve explained that she should wait until we answer to say “thank you” but she insists on saying it all at once. She still apologizes for things that are clearly not her fault but her feeling get hurt anytime anyone is upset so she feels the need to apologize. It’s hard to believe she will be 4 in just 3 ½ months.