Back to Zumba

Today started off with a headache. I wish I knew what was causing this, but oh well.

Donovan was a pill today. He was all over the place. He had so much energy. I felt bad that he was not able get outside to play and run around. I hope tomorrow, I can let him out with his bike. It just depends on the weather.

It looks like we are going over to Scott's little sister's house tomorrow. We are finally doing Christmas. I did tell Becca that if Karen was there we would not be there. I just have no desire to deal with her anymore. Whenever she gets upset with Scott, I get the brunt of the anger. I refuse to be apart of it. Becca said Karen was in the hospital. Now I know this might sound bad but I didn't ask. I just can't allow myself to get involved.

Tonight Scott got a call from Karen's therapist. She is thinking straight and wants to talk to Scott. I have told Scott that he is more than welcome to make amends with his mom, but I am not. I am tired of her treating me like crap and the stuff she said to me was such a lie. I was standing by what Scott said and I am blamed for everything. I am not dealing with her or her emotional baggage. I feel horrible, but she can't be mean to me and think it is ok to do this all the time. So if Scott wants a relationship with Karen then he can. More power to him. I don't know if I can allow Donovan to be involve with this either. I know this might cause an argument, but how do you not acknowledge your grandson. I will pray for her, but that is it.

I did go to Zumba tonight. It was so much fun. It actually helped with my headache. I had a great time. I was so tired and worn out by the end, that I realized I need to workout. I am starting my New Year's resolution a little early. I will be starting another blog on working out and on my tribulations. I think I will do just like the Biggest Loser. I will take a picture of before and hopefully a great after picture.

I was reading through some scriptures and came across one of my favorite. This is good for the new year and the endeavors Stephanie may face that will cause me fear

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7. This is actually a song, but I can't remember how it goes.

Long Day

I am sitting here watching television and debating if I am going to read for a hour or two. I am still debating on what I should have as my New Years Resolution. Just thinking about a lot of stuff right now. I should be in bed, but I will have to move Donovan and Scott over so I think I will be sleeping in Donovan's room. I really wish Donovan would work on sleeping in his room.

I was cleaning out my purse and came across the sermon notes from Sunday's lesson. I am going to have to remember this scripture to help me get through the new year.

Psalms 28:6-7 (NIV)
Prasie be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strenght and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

I hope I can truly teach Donovan this. To allow his heart to leap for joy and give thanks to God. I think Donovan's way of giving thanks will be to run around the house. Today I have allowed myself to be joyful with what my day has brought. Even though Donovan has been rambuctious, and I was somewhat annoyed.... I am thankful. He may not be able to express himself well, but he can run around with joy. Granted it is not towards God, but it is a joyful noise he makes, and at times I want to scream, but I love watching him play.

Today Donovan and I were sitting around. He says momma, momma, momma. Milk. He wants milk. I told him to go get his cup for me and I would do that.....He proceeds to tell me , No, you crazy. I had to stop from laughing. He comes up with the darnest things.
The other day I was singing something, he puts his hands over his ears and say.....hurt my ears...hurt my ears...To woud momma. To woud....(woud=loud) He just make me laugh. He is just so funny.

I am deciding on my new weight loss plan. It might help if I don't eat as much. However, I keep thinking I don't really eat alot. I think I just go too long without food. So when the new year begins I will also blog about my weight loss. I will try my best, and try to motivate myself to exercise. I really don't know why it is so hard to motivate myself. I can motivate myself with work, but exercise is something I can't do. I wish I knew why.

Well only a few more days of 2009 ...Out with the old and in with the new 2010. This will definitely be a weepy year for me. I will need to buy stock in Kleenex.

Forgot to blog on Monday

I meant to blog last night, but I decided to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks with Donovan. We also laid in his bed. I was hoping that he would sleep all night in his room. Ha. No such luck. Oh well we will try again tonight.

Yesterday I just hung out with Patricia and Liam. Donovan loved Liams Geo Traxs. Now I wish I would of gotten that for Donovan. He had so much fun with them. That is ok. He has a birthday in 6 months. They might be a little cheaper than.

I am purging out the house. I don't think I am doing a good job at it. I do know that I have gotten rid of all of Donovan's 24 thru 3T clothes. That was a good thing. Now I need to purge out toys. It is so hard to do that. I do have a few things I have purged, but not a whole lot. I listed a few things on freecycle. We will see if anyone claims them.

I need to find someone who can get all my photos off of our old computer. They are the ones I want to scrapbook with. I don't know if that is going to happen. I will try and see if I can find a friend who can help. I will be so sad if I can't get them. I should of been transferring them to a jump drive, but waited to long to decide this.

Did exercise today? I did something called Shimmy off the Fit TV. It worked my stomach and calf muscles a little. Today I will DVR two workout shows and do them today when Donovan is taking a nap.

Well I am off for now. I will post my blog tonight on the excited things that happen. LOL.

Wonderful Sunday

Today has been a great day. At least to me. Donovan and I went to church. Today Lance talked about joy. It was a great sermon on joy. That when you have joy, fear has to leave. It made me think that joy is what will help me get through the rest of the school year.

Donovan started his new Sunday school class. He was not a happy camper at all. However, he must of realized that it was ok. When I went to pick him up he was so happy. He loves Sunday school and church. Thank you Jesus.

How do you answer a child who says "Why do I have to be Christian?" My response to her was that she should be proud to be Christian, but that did not seem to phase her. I pray my son never says that to me. I guess Donovan just loves going to church. It is so cute when I ask him who lives in his heart. He say in his sweet little hard to understand voice...."Jesus does" I hope he continues to have a love for church.

Donovan and I made cookies. He is so cute. He had to make his cookies in his Buzzlight year PJ's. He loves the pj's. Here is a picture of his pj's. I think they are so cute. He is not too thrilled to have to take them off, but he does.

I do feel a little sorry for him. Today Donovan wanted to know where his sissy was. I had to explain to him that she was home. He thinks her home is here, but I am not even going to explain this to a 3 year old. I am so glad he loves his sissy so much. I think they both love one another.

I have one more week of vacation and plan on relaxing. I am trying to finish reading Lovely Bones. I am having problems reading it. It involves a little girl who is brutally murdered. I don't know why books have to get graphic about what happens to children. I will try to finish it and decide from there if I will go see the movie.

I need to start thinking about new years resolutions. I have a few days to come up with a few. I think for sure one is weight loss. I think another will be getting in bed by a certain time. I just have to figure out what time that is. I know what time it should be but not sure if that will happen. I know it won't tonight because I want to get as much of the book done.

Oh well enough blogging and off to read.

Day After Christmas

Today Stephanie was heading home. I hated to see her go. Today has just been a weepy day. I didn't think Stephanie leaving would effect me like this, but it did. As I was driving her down 1960 I noticed that I started to cry. I had to call my good friend Tricia, because it was really hitting me. Tricia couldn't believe I was crying either. I guess she is just growing up so quickly and I feel like I have missed a lot. She will be 18 in a month, and I will be crying a river over this. I can't imagine that 18 years ago I had my precious little girl.
Donovan was upset too. He informed me he was going home. I told him he was home. Oh no, he was going home with his sissy. It was sad. However, one thing I am blessed with is that my children love one another. Stephanie loves Donovan and Donovan absolutely adores her. Thank God, they have each other.

Tonight we took Donovan to see Alvin and The Chipmunks the Squeekal. I love watching Donovan sitting with Blake and Nolan watching the movie. He even giggled many times. It was very nice. After the movie we went out with Tricia and Josh for dinner. Scott did not want turkey. However, we are going to have leftovers for a while. I might make a turkey noodle soup. Also turkey and dressing.

The ending of 2009 is nearing and I have so much to think about. What has happenend and how things have been going.

Christmas Pictures

I I was planning to post these pictures in the last post, but I forgot. I figured I could do it now. These were just a few of the pictures. I wish Stephanie could of been in them, but I will do some Spring pictures of us. Donovan smiles so big. He reminds me of Stephanie. They love to smile.

Christmas Time Again

Well I haven't been online for a while. So I will try to catch up as much as possible. I am on Christmas break right now and I am excited to be on break. Stephanie came down to Houston for Christmas break. I am so excited for her to be home. It is nice to have my two children sleeping under the same roof.

Stephanie has been great with Donovan. He so loves his sissy. Stephanie had her friends over and they played with Donovan. It was just nice to have laughter in the house besides Donovan's. He has been so happy and it has been great to see Stephanie and Donovan having such a great time.

I think the best Christmas gift I received is Stephanie coming home. I know this will be her last one here with us. She is a senior this year and she is going to be going away to college. I am sure she will start spending it with her friends and probably with her dad.

I am so excited about Christmas. We will be at the Abel's as usually. I don't mind. It is actually a fun time. I know Scott is wanting to spend time with his Nana. She hasn't been doing well, and just wants to spend what time he can with her.

I guess I need to go. I am trying to type and watch the movie Julia and Julia which has inspired me to blog more.

Been Gone

Well I haven't posted anything in a while. I have just been very busy with school, volleyball practice and home life. I am ready for a mini vacation soon.

We took Donovan to the pumpkin patch yesterday and he had a blast. Here are a few pictures of our outing. Enjoy the pictures.

Sadness

Today has been a sad day with the news I have heard.

First... a dear friend Miss Hope who was an aid at Arnold retired. She was like a grandmother to me. Such a sweet soul. Her grandchildren are a month apart from Donovan. Anyways, I found out today that her husband of 49 years past away from cancer. She had to retire to take care of her husband. However, now she needs to worry about her daughter too. One of her daughters has cervical and uterian cancer. She is undergoing chemo right now and it is wiping her out. Miss Hope is taking care of her too. Where she gets the strength I don't know, but God bless her and her family.

Second .... today I found out a student who use to go to Arnold Dayo fell down the bleachers during wrestling practice that he had to be lifeflighted to Hermann Memorial hospital. This is what I was told....Please pray for a Cy-Fair freshman Dayo Awosika-Olumo. He was Life Flighted from school Friday afternoon after taking a bad fall running bleachers. He's still in Neuro ICU at Mem.Hermann. When they removed the respirator, fluid in his lungs comp...licated the process. He's back on the respirator and heavily sedated. Swelling but no surgery yet. His parents & sister, Soyo, are doing ok, but are grateful for prayers!
Dayo was in my Not So Neat Freaks Club. He is a sweet boy. I taught his sister Soyo. She is awesome. I ask that if you read this to please pray for them too.

The second week of school has ended and I love school. I love my kids. The atmosphere at school is great. I can't complain at all. I wake up in the morning and can't wait to get to school. Volleyball practice has been ok. The girls can serve, but are very slow. They are not agressive and so it is hard to see who will be on the various team. We have our first scrimmage on Tuesday. I can't wait to see how they perform. Wish us luck.

Well I guess I am going to wrap up and say some prayers tonight for everyone.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Yesterday I signed up to walk in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in October. I have two teacher friends who are survivors and a mommy group friend who is suvivor. Amen!! God is good. Anyways, I am racing on my friend Michelle Pizzi's team. I have already raised 25.00. Thank you Andrea. If anyone is interested in donating you can go to www.koman-houston.org. I believe you can pick a team which our team name is Think Pizzi Pink, or an individual to donate to, that would be me. I am so excited. I have wanted to do this walk and just never had anyone to really do it with. Yeah!!!

Now to school. School is going great. I still say it is "Good Living" and 'There is No Place Like Arnold" I am just glad things are going great for me.

Home..Donovan is doing great. He is using his potty more and more. I am so excited for him. He is getting up with me and not crying and that makes leaving in the morning great. Life is just great for me and I am so glad.

2nd week of School

Well today was the 2nd week of school. I love work. The atmosphere is wonderful. All I do is smile. I do have a class of 5 boys and 1 girl. Now those little boys are going to break me in good. They are just so darn cute, but realize that I have to teach them totally different. I will get the knack of it soon.

My little one is doing great when it comes to taking him to daycare. He goes straight to Ms. Asha. He so loves her. I am so glad she was Donovan's first teacher. What a blessing she has been to Donovan.

Potty training is still going well. He does a great job at home. However, I am not sure if he understands that I know when he poops when he is grunting. It is kind of funny to hear him grunt then ask him if he pooped. He has a delayed answer of "No".

Volleyball practice was today. The girls are going to need to concentrate and follow directions. It will be a long season, but the girls better learn quick that lines will become their new friend if they do not stop chit chatting when they should be listening.

I am waiting on my daughter to call me tonight. The Texas Bank and Trust has decided to recognize outstanding young people in the community. She has been elected to the 2009-2010 Student Board of Directors. I so wish I could of been there with her to see her at the reception and orientation. She had pictures taken for the newspaper in Longview. Here is the website http://www.news-journal.com/ . When I find out it is online I will post.

Oh well it is back to work. I have to liven up my classes. Wish me luck.

First day of Volleyball try outs

Ok, today could not have started out any worse than it did today. I seem to have locked my keys in the car last night. I didn't realize it. I was doing so good on time today. I actually was ready to leave by 6:15. However that didn't happen. I locked my keys in the car. I think this is a reoccuring theme for me. I did this last week. Thank God for Charlotte who picked me up and took Donovan to daycare and me to work. I was not that late for practice.

This years group of girls. First there are about 74 girls trying out for only 30 positions. The girls did pass to themselves today. There are some good looking volleyball players. Tricia and I rated them. Then the girls were placed in groups of ten to see them pass to the target. We only got through 2 rows. I thought some were decent, and some were so so. There were a few I wanted to give tips to, but I know we are not allowed to. That makes me sad. Tomorrow will be another day of tryouts. I hope we will be able to pick the 30 easily.

Classes were good today. I finished another power point. I think tomorrows lesson is awesome. I need to figure out how to find money for student incentives since the state of Texas as put more criteria on the money kids raise at fundraisers are to be used. I am going to start thinking and I will figure out something.

It is getting late and I am tired. I have so much still to do, and hope I can get through it.

First Official Day of School

Today has been a really awesome day. Donovan started his new daycare class. He went to daycare happy and no fits. It was great.

Today at work I got most of the posters and signs up for PBIS. I am excited about that. I am really looking forward to an awesome year. The staff is great. I just can't say enough about work. The heaviness from last year has left and I am glad.

I love my classes. I really wish my class of 5 could combine with my class of 8. I just hate that I could be used to teach another class. It is kind of sad. I will have to wait to see if they will combine the class. The kids are all excited, but we haven't gotten into the nitty gritty of 6th grade yet.

I am so exhausted and ready for the night to end. I am sitting here watching the hummingbird wishing I had that much flutter left. We are still working with Donovan on potty training. I am so excited to say that he is doing great. Now I have to begin to let him wear underwear and not training pants. I am not sure if I am ready to venture out in the world with his peeing on himself. I wish I had a magic wand to clean up mess. I am sure some of my students think I do have a wand.

Yesterday

Yesterday was an absolutely horrible day. I just wanted to cry. Donovan was being a turkey yesterday. When we were getting ready to leave for daycare and work, he threw a major tantrum. I mean he throws them, but oh my word, he cried and cried and cried. I eventually got Donovan in the car. Then we went to daycare. As we were at daycare he had his shoes off and I was trying to get things out of the car. Donovan climbs over my seats to the front and unknown to me at the time, he stepped on my glasses which were in the seat. So they are broke. Then he pressed the door lock. I unlocked it from my side of the car and shut my door, but the drivers side door was unlock. Oh but Donovan was a little quicker than me and he pressed the door to lock and shut the door. Like a dummy I didn't think like a toddler. So he had now locked my keys in the car with my cell phone. I took him in the center, and asked to use the phone. I didn't have any numbers so I called work. All I got was the answering service. So I started pressing numbers for the school. I eventually got ahold of a teacher to give the principal a message for me. I did get to school. One of the daycare mother's was going to be passing by Arnold so she dropped me off. Thank God for her.
Eventually Scott came to get me so we could get my car. He was a little mad, and I don't blame him. I was a little ugly to him and just mad that I didn't think before shutting the door. I mean what parent relies on the door the toddler has open to be the unlocked one. Anyway, I got in the car drove back to school. When I got out of the car I realized that Donovan's shoes werer still in the car. So I got in the car and went back to the daycare. I had to drop off the shoes. Then go back to school. That was pretty much my morning.

Now for school itself. I think some people dont' realize at times they are just rude or abrassive. I mean I am trying to keep my patience, but there are a few 20 % people that just aren't happy with anything. I just don't understand. Why are people that miserable? And teachers. I will be praying a lot for understanding and just an open mind and heart.

Round Robins and the day

Today we had PBIS round robins. The team building was awesome. Everyone really got into it. It made for the beginning of the day awesome. It was just a positive feeling. As for the sessions, everyone pretty much enjoyed everything. The staff really loved the art time. It was great to see everyone buzzing with excitement and joy, not dread. I am just happy everyone had some input on things. I had a smile all day long.

I am a little frustrated about the money situation. I mean when is enough enough. I mean just so much to pay for and little money left for anything else. I just don't know what to do right now. It is funny to know that others at work have the same issues I have with life in general. I guess I am not alone. I think God finds the one person in the world to connect you with and you would never have thought you would. I think God's power and strength is what is getting me through the days and nights.

First Day at work

Ok, the first day was just as stressful as the last day of school. We went over the expectation in the classroom. I am loving what I am hearing. I think it will be an awesome year.

My room is still a mess, but getting better as the days go by. I think everything will be in order by Friday. I am not too worried right now. I am going to try and stay late on Tuesday. I hope I can get a lot done. Oh well, I will be ready. I always am.

PBIS meeting at 3 PM, was very interesting. I think it will be great when we are into the routine of school. There is so much to do before the first day of school. We have advisory lessons, matrix for each classroom, Classroom signs for each class. We also need big poster size ones for different locations in the building. I have a list. I will mark off as we go.

I am trying to get Stephanie's graduation pictures done. I talk to Cindy and Terry tonight to get an idea on what needs to be done. I did tell Cindy that I have a few friends who are willing to buy or purchase donation tickets to help her out. I am hoping I can get 10 people to buy shirts, and then whoever to buy donation tickets. I just want to help her as much as possible. However, I am not sure how this will work. Wish me luck.

I am praying tomorrow's PBIS round robin goes well. I am a little worried, but I will just be flexible, and do a lot of praying. I need to remember that sometimes nothing said is the best thing to do.

Oh well I know God will guide me through this year. I will need a lot of guidance. I pray all will work out.

Lewisville Weekend

This weekend, I finally met my niece Ashlee and her beautiful baby Noah. I was so nervous. She just found us about a little less than a year ago. She is absolutely beautiful. Ashlee reminds me so much of Stephanie. They have similiar manners. It was just odd. My Aunt Patricia and Uncle Pat also met Ashlee and her mom Michelle. Ashlee's boyfriend Gilbert was there too. He is a very nice person. We ended up having dinner with Ashlee, Gilbert and Noah.

When I finally met Ashlee I just cried. We have been searching for Ashlee forever. She just doesn't know. I so wish my dad could of been there, but at least one of us in the family has met her. I hope she realizes how much we have thought about her and love her. My grandmother would of loved to met Ashlee. Grandmother thought about Ashlee often and it was one of her wishes to meet her. Man if only we could of met 5 or 6 years sooner. I am just thankful that God allowed me to make my way up there. I don't plan on losing touch with Ashlee.

Donovan was his normal self. He is so bratty. Maybe I just have very high expectations. I don't know.

Stephanie made me upset. I asked her about graduation pictures and she said she couldn't ask her dad to pay out anymore. He paid for her letter jacket 125, Viewette stuff over 1000.00, college courses 300.00. She was not asking for anything else. What I don't understand is she had no problem asking me to foot out money for stuff. I mean I did without and never said a word. However, I am going to call her dad and find out about graduation pictures and pay for them.

I start my new diet tomorrow. I am not sure if bc pills are causing me to gain weight,but will be cutting down on what I eat. I hope to exercise a little more. You never know what will help. God will help me and not too worried.

Thursday at school.... What a day

Today has just been a crazy day. I went up to work on my room and get the Level One stuff done. Well I helped another teacher move a book shelf only to get my finger slammed by some shelves.It felt horrible all day. I took some tylenol and the cream that the nurse put on it hurt like the dickins. I am hoping that it will not be sore tomorrow, but I dont' see that happening. As I am typing right now my finger is throbbing. Oh well, just a little accident.

I am so tired. All the things I wanted to do today, I didn't get to. I so need to get Donovan's haircut. I wanted to make a blanket for the baby. I guess I could buy the material tomorrow and give it to Noah then. I wanted to get snacks for the trip. I just don't knwo where I am going to get all this time back tomorrow. I will just take Donovan to daycare early and do my walmart stop.

God has been so good to me today, that I am just so excited to make it through the day. I thought about my grandmother a lot today. Not sure why, but so glad I did.

I need to put Donovan's pj's and on and figure out how I will wash my hair with one hand. I am sure I will figure it out.

Tantrums and Tantrums

Oh my word. I am thinking I can't get back to work soon enough. Donovan has really broken me into the wonderful world of Tantrums at 3. I mean oh my.....I have no idea what to do. Today I had to pop him on the butt, he hit me and told me no. I am not sure where he thinks he is living but that is not going to happen. I ended up putting him down for a nap.
As I am sitting here at typing my little stink pot is pulling down his pullup and heading to the potty. Yeah!!! However he is sitting on the potty backwards. I am not going to say anything. I just cleaned out the potty chair. I wish he would sit on the seat that goes on top of the potty I bought him. Donovan is so strong willed. I guess that is from me. Lucky me!!!
Back to Tantrum 3's. Let me tell you if I would of known that this was coming my way, I would of borrowed my friends children to prepare myself for this. Stephanie was an easy child, but oh well I will figure this all out.
Tantrum as adults. I am trying to deal with that from other's. I mean I am not sure how to do that, but I am sure if I pray enough it will work out fine.
I finished my PBIS power point for new teachers. Now I need to work on the returning staff power points. I am not sure how that day is going to turn out but I am sure all will work.

August 10, 2009- Still Potty Training

Well potty training Donovan is such a chore. I wish it would get a little easier, but I think he picks and chooses when he wants to potty. I never realized how hard it is with a boy. I know Stephanie was so much easier. I wish I knew what the magic words are to get him to potty. If he is running around in pull ups/underwear he has a better chance of going by himself. Now have those shorts on and it is like it is a chore for him. All I can do is to continue to work with him and do a lot of praying.

Work is killing me right now. We are not officially back at work, but I have a lot on my plate and things to do. I just wish to be more observant and less verbal. I think that is what I will do more of. I know many of my friends will wonder why, but I think it is best for the situation that I have been handed. As the year goes on I will blog about all that happens, but right now I will just remember loose lips sink ships. Lucky for me I have a few very close friends I can vent to, but that is all I can do. Vent and Pray, pray, pray.