Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Starting to Freak

So I am going to admit something.....I am starting to freak out about having another kid. I know, I know, kinda late huh?!

TJ was throwing a wonderful 2 year old tantrum (actually, his aren't that bad and have just recently begun in the last month) and I looked at Ayron and said, "What were we thinking wanting another one?" Potty training has been a nightmare and TJ's sudden attitude shifts from happy to demon possessed child make me wonder what we are in store for with Isabella (or Ella as I have taken to calling her). I know that each child is different, but I still can't help but wonder.

I am also starting to freak out about the actually birthing process, for like the third time this pregnancy. TJ's was such a traumatic birth that the thought of having to do that again makes me want to never get Ella out. At one point Ayron and I were discussing using a birthing center. We talked to our mid wife (she is associated with the center) and even talked to insurance provider, etc. Now I am leaning towards the hospital, for several reasons. At first I thought a short length of stay would be great (at the birthing center) because then we could get back to taking care of TJ, the dog, etc. My Aunt has agreed to come up and help with the 2 kids we already have (Scooter and TJ) while I recovering from having the 3rd. I know the cost factor has played a part in Ayron's mind. He doesn't want to start labor at the birthing center then have to go to the hospital for some reason and then have two bills. I am really leaning towards actually using pain meds during this birth. If I were to deliver at the birthing center, I would not have access to any pain meds. I have not made up my mind 100% on the use of pain meds, but I want that option there. I was talking to a friend (she is due a week after me with her second daughter) yesterday and we both decided we like how we get "pampered" at the hospital and I think I want that. Now I just have to tell our mid wife that I am wanting to deliver at the hospital. She is awesome and won't care, but for some reason I am nervous about telling her.

I also keep having this reoccurring dream that I have to have an emergency C-section. I really don't want to deal with the recovery from a C-Section! At our big 20 week ultrasound Ella was breech, but dang that child moves ALL THE TIME. Even if she does get herself head down, I doubt she'll stay there! I am hoping to have another ultrasound tomorrow to determine her position.

In some ways having 12 weeks left seems like such a long time, in other ways, 12 weeks is not nearly enough time! I want to meet her so badly, but I also feel like we need more time to get her room cleaned out, painted, furniture set up, etc. Heck, she only has 2 onsies and some booties right now! I need to go through TJ's old stuff and pull out the gender neutral clothes and start hunting for some pink and purple stuff!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Not Scared of Anything, Except Maybe This Book

I suggested to my sister that she and dad record some books for TJ for Christmas. My dad has recorded one before and TJ loves to hear grandpa's voice. Nat and Dad recorded two books for TJ for Christmas. When he opened We're Not Scared of Anything he immediately flipped to the last page. The last page begins with my sister "roaring" very loudly. Tj dropped the book, grabbed his mouth, and then whispered, "I peed." As soon as Natalee stopped roaring and began reading, TJ realized who it was. He got a very confused look on his face and said, "Natalee a liren?" (lion). He still flips to the page and roars right along with her. I wish I would have had my phone out the first time he opened to that page. The look on his face was priceless. I was able to capture him "reading" it later in the day. Here is some of the footage I caught.


Year End Wrap Up

It doesn't feel like the year should be coming to an end. Heck, it didn't even feel like Christmas time this past weekend. 2010 had it's ups and downs and I think we are finishing on a high note, so I am thankful for that.

I am curious to see what 2011 holds for us. It seems we have several avenues we could take, but are just being patient and praying for wisdom and guidance. I think He is using this time to teach me patience, so it is especially frustrating for me.
The holiday's were good. We had plenty of family time and I enjoyed watching TJ discover his new toys (nothing fancy or electronic) and interact with all his cousins and relatives. We did have some heart break. My great Uncle CJ passed and we are dealing with a reoccurring cancer on my husband's side. I know these things only bring us closer and make us stronger, but they still made the holiday's bittersweet.

I don't make resolutions, why set myself up for failure? I am simply looking forward to what He has in store for us and meeting the little girl that will make our family complete!

Here are some pictures from Christmas for your viewing pleasure (that and I can't get on facebook from here to upload them, so at least this way I can get some of the pictures out there).
Santa (aka: Pat Bennett) showed up at Leah's house, so we had to go say "hi."
Tj wouldn't get off the floor to go to the Christmas Eve service at church.
How many Reeves does it take to build a train table?

Scooter guarding the "wrapped" train table.


Tj on Christmas morning.

The shirt my mom got TJ for next Christmas.



My youngest niece modeling her new fashion skills.


My mom decided that Marisa's new life like baby doll needed tending. The baby actually blinks, coos, sucks on a pacifier, etc. Mom was rocking it and it was hysterical!







Sunday, December 12, 2010

Chicken Bundles

Ingredients:

2 cans of crescent roll dough
6 oz of cream cheese, softened
13 oz canned chicken
garlic powder, to your taste
green onion, to your taste
sesame seeds

Directions:

Mix together the cream cheese, chicken, garlic powder, and green onion. Let sit all mixed together for an hour (in the fridge).

Unroll the crescent roll packages, but don't pull them apart into triangles. Keep every 2 triangles together and press the perforations together to make a rectangle (each package of crescent rolls will make 4 bundles). Gently use your hand to push the rectangle into a bigger square.

Put a decent sized spoonful in the middle of each crescent square. Fold up the corners and sides of the crescent dough around the filling. There is NO wrong way to do this. Just make sure all the sides are seamed shut. Continue making bundles till you have all 8 made.

Place on a lightly greased (I lined a cookie sheet with foil and then sprayed the foil) sheet. Brush the tops (lightly) with water. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes.

Next time I make these we are going to make a buffalo chicken type filling. It's a general concept that could really be used with any type of filling.

If you want to see a picture of the finished product, check out my mobile uploads on my facebook page.

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Pants On The Ground



I was reminded of this song today. Apparently properly wearing your pants around your waist is too difficult for my male students. I snapped. I should not be able to see the "fly" on your boxers. The back pockets on your pants should not be sagging down to the back of your knees. Why is it so freaking hard to wear them correctly? Here is what gets me, they all belt them at the sagging length. NO MORE KIDDO's! The suspenders are coming out tomorrow and I will make sure you look like Urkle. I don't care if you are uncomfortable, I shouldn't have to constantly remind you to pull your britches up! I come to work to educate, not run the risk of seeing your teenage anatomy!

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Time to Rant

I read a friends facebook status the other day that talked about how she was sick of hearing people complain about what they didn't have. It didn't hit home until a recent conversation I had with an individual.

This individual was complaining about a lack of "cost of living" increase in her husbands pay for the 2011 year. I quickly said, "I haven't had a raise in 4 years, so I don't really see where you are coming from." She quickly got defensive and I just let the conversation drop.

The more I think about it the more upset I get. Shouldn't she be happy that both she and her husband (has a NICE, cushy, high paying job) have jobs? She doesn't have to work, she chooses to so that she has something to do on a daily basis. They just took a nice 2 week long vacation and are taking a cruise in June. The live in a nice neighborhood, drive new cars, and their children want for nothing. Shouldn't she be happy that she has that much? I think the reason I get so frustrated with her is because she was raised in a different social class and currently still is in a different social/financial class (of this I am not jealous, I truly think I am more grounded and "normal") and she just can't see things from another perspective. She has never had to budget, save up for something, wait for it to go on sale, etc.

I know that I am just as guilty of this, but I am trying to get that under control. I am thankful for what I have. Could we use some more comforts in our life? Some would argue yes, others would argue no. I am grateful to have a full time job with benefits that I love (most days). Would it be nice if Ayron had a full time job with a consistent pay check, sure. We are finding ways to make ends meet, so it's ok. Would it be great to be able to take a vacation, heck yes. But we find ways to make do with what we have (date night, close attractions, etc).

So this holiday season, stop focusing on what it is that you DON'T have and start looking at what you DO have. Do you have a roof over your head? Do you get to eat at least twice a day? Do you have a coat? Boots? Warm clothing? Do you have family that loves you? Why focus on the things you don't have, when you can look at the ways you have been blessed.

Friday, December 03, 2010

Jernigan Auctions and Real Estate

Ayron has recently began working for Jernigan Auctions and Real Estate. We have known the owner, Ryan Jernigan, for years (Ryan's mother's sister is actually married to Ayron's mom's brother...think about...draw a family tree if you are still confused).

Ryan, Ayron, and Ryan's brother are all graduates of Repert's School of Auctioneering and hold valid Indiana Auctioneer's licenses. Ryan is a licensed real estate broker and hopefully Ayron will be going to school to become a real estate agent. Ryan is also a licensed fire arms dealer.

If you are looking to sell or buy a house, antiques, guns, collectibles, tractors, arcade items, etc. Let Ayron know. He would be happy to hook you up!

Next Thursday they will be auctioning off a house in Kendallville at NO RESERVE!! They have an arcade auction scheduled for December 11th in Auburn, and a winter consignment and gun auction on the 18th of December.

Need to pare down on your belongings? Looking to find a great deal on an awesome Christmas present? Check out their website and call Ayron.

Ok, my shameless plug is now complete.

Early Nesting

I have been "nesting" for the past month. It is driving me crazy! I can only clean and re-organize my desk at work so many times. I have filed and refiled the same things in an attempt to calm my urges.

I have cleaned out TJ's closet, his dresser, his toys, and his book case. I have actually managed to find a desk under the pile of ruble in my home office. I made Ayron help me reclaim our hall closet. Ayron cleaned out and organized the garage and started working on the backroom this week as well.

I made a "to do" list around the house and am slowly working on that (paint touch ups, etc). The only thing left to do is conquer the closet in what will be Isabella's room (now we call it the office or the dog's room). This closet is FULL of craft supplies, scrapbook stuff, and books. I am afraid of what I will find in there! I hope to start this project sometime this weekend. My goal is to just pare down our belongings. If we don't use it on a daily basis, it's got to go.

I didn't start this freakish nesting phase with my first pregnancy till about week 38 (keep in mind I went to 42 1/2 weeks, so I had 4 1/2 weeks to freak out and clean). I reorganized the pyrex/mixing bowl cupboard about 4 times...which reminds me, I need to do that again.

My mind never stops! The problem is that the urge hits when I am at work. By the time I get home around 4ish, I have no energy to actually do anything. With the holiday season approaching and Ayron's new job (post about that later) taking off, we have very little time together on the weekends. Good thing I have till March to get this all done.

If anyone is looking for the perfect present for me, a maid would be awesome....I am totally joking...maybe.