Photo Update

I just thought I'd post some recent photos. I haven't taken a lot lately because I have had the camera packed in my hospital bag for three weeks. It was so nice out last night, that even after the whole car mess, we all went outside to burn off some energy.

Who Needs Wednesdays

Seems like everything always happens to me on a Wednesday. I was hoping that yesterday would bring our family another member, but since it's Thursday and I still sit here with my belly smooshed against my desk, no such luck.

When I left work yesterday I discovered I had a flat tire. I went to my other office, borrowed a guy (Yes, I do know how to change a flat, but frankly, I am 40 weeks pregnant and didn't want to do it). After messing with it forever, we finally got the tire pulled off and discovered it was WAY more than just a flat tire. Apparently the front spring had snapped and sliced a huge gash in my tire. I don't know how I managed to get to work without the tire going flat or having a blow out (Thank You God for that!). There was a huge piece of spring just stuck in my tire. I called Ayron and he came up to Angola and took me home.

On the drive home we started calling our insurance company and mechanics. While we do have towing insurance, we do not have the $800 one place wanted to fix the whole mess. We found a place that would do it for $275, but they are backed up by 2 weeks. If I was already on maternity leave, it wouldn't be a big deal, but since we have no clue when this kid is coming out, we didn't think we could do the whole 2 week wait thing. I managed to stay calm the whole time this mess was unfolding. I never once cried or freaked out...that's a big deal for someone who is 40 weeks prego! I decided we would just go to mom's and pick up TJ. Then it hit me. My mom's neighbor is a big machine mechanic. He works on the cranes at places like SDI and he can also fix semis, etc. He was home so we went over and chatted with him.

Tony is an amazing guy. He shovels my mom's driveway, they take turns mowing the two yards, etc. Ayron asked him if he knew how to fix our problem and Tony laughed like it was as easy as licking an envelope. He said, "Got all the tools right there on my work truck. When you wanna do it?" So for $50 (and we buy the parts), some cupcakes, and some slave labor (Ayron is going to help him put the roof on his new shed), Tony is going to fix our car. It was at that point that I wanted to cry. I think Tony noticed because he said, "Ah, no biggie. Take a couple hours on Saturday and we'll get it fixed. Bring TJ over, drop him off to play with our kids (between him and his wife they have 5 kids), let Ayron and I fix the car and you go do something girly, like give birth or something."

So God Bless Tony!!!!!! That man is a saint!! So now I am sitting at work waiting for a tow truck to come get the car. I know that I shouldn't be surprised, after all He works in mysterious ways. Heck, He kept me calm the whole time yesterday!

Trying Something Different

The end is near, or so I hope. Seems like this week will provide me/us with the time to get the final puzzle pieces into place for Isabella's arrival. The nursery will be done tomorrow afternoon (just need to rip out the old carpet and put in the new) and the dresser will be brought up by the end of the week, hopefully.

With Isabella's birth we are going to try something different. Birth photography. We have a friend who is a photographer, Stephani Lynn. Stephani approached me over the weekend about wanting to expand her services by offering birth photography. She asked if we wanted her to photograph Isabella's birth. We decided that it would be an opportunity to get some once in a lifetime shots by a professional.

The more I think about it, the more I really want to do it, but the thought of exposing myself to someone in that fashion is a bit odd. I know that the pictures will be tastefully done and nothing anatomy wise will be shown, but it's still the idea. I immediately started to rethink the clothing I had packed, is that shallow?! I mean come on, I am already going to be sweating like a pig, I might as well look decent right?!

I am very excited about this and curious to see how it all plays out. Now if only Isabella would decide to show up!

Really? People Do This Crap?!

So I am all about prepping your body for labor. I am taking evening prime rose oil capsules and drinking red raspberry leaf tea, I am not however smearing Crisco on my butt. I have a "membership" to babycenter.com and love to read the ridiculous stuff people post. I once read a debate about what type of oil to drink to cause labor. One person truly thought that they were to drink motor oil. If people aren't smart enough to realize that is dangerous, do we really want them creating offspring?

I ran across this "trick" for labor induction today and laughed my non Crisco covered butt off.

"So I know a lot of people have been looking into and posting about homemade inductions, my OB told me about this Garden Method of Induction, I did it and the next day my water broke.
You take a bowl with Orange juice & Green Tea and then stand in it. Than you take basil leaves and crush them up in a bowl, add crisco, pepper, dried red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper and rub it on your butt cheek alternating ever 5 minutes.

Take a shot of brown sugar and lemon juice. And sit on top of a bowl of 5 hour energy shot.
Do for 30-min intervals until contractions start. It was so amazing I am definitely doing it again for my next child."

REALLY?! I am pretty sure that smearing Crisco on your butt is only going to give you a greasy butt! Sitting on a 5 hour energy shot? Am I just supposed to place the container in the bowl or dump out the little liquid and then sit in that? Wouldn't the lovely coat of grease prevent the energy shot from properly absorbing into my butt? (These questions are all said in sarcasm on my part). I decided to read some of the comments for more giggles.

One person is freaking out because no one will tell her what brand of cayenne pepper to use. Should she go with McCormick or will the kind from the dollar store work? Really? Should you be allowed to care for a child?

Another reader commented this way: If all else fails, you can always recycle all of the ingredients over a nice pot roast in the slow cooker. Waste not, want not.

This reader and I have a similar sense of humor: MY GOD, I swear some of these are just made up to see how stupid pregnant women are haha! I'm going to make one up and spread it around to see how many people try it. Here goes: I heard if you stand on your toilet backwards for an hour while sucking on a tootsie pop and then drive to a mountain top and blow bubbles for 20 minutes it will put you into labor. Let's all try it!!!!!

As impatient as I am to meet my daughter, I know that she will come out when she is good and ready. TJ waited till 42 weeks to show up simply because he was warm and toasty and didn't want to come out. I know not to rush nature, but I also know how hard it can be to sit and wait. I also know that a good way to induce labor is the same thing that caused the pregnancy in the first place. I am going to print out this "natural" method and show it to my mid-wife though. I bet she could use a good laugh.

Let The Count Down Begin

It's the last day of February, finally! For being a short month, this month took forever to get through! As I sit here typing this, with my eyes closed (TJ had the flu all weekend so we are all tired), I can't help but run through the mental list of things that have yet to be accomplished. I know that the necessary ones (get car seat out of attic, move cradle into bedroom) will take all of 10 minutes to accomplish, but I can't help by panic a little. I have three different due dates: March 20, 22, and 26th. I can't help but hope she comes early.

Ayron and his dad spent most of the past week (and the weekend) working on our bathroom and Ella's room. We finally have tile up around the new tub and can seal the tile tomorrow, then put the trim molding back up and then I can finally have my bathroom back! Ella's room has the paneling ripped off, the glue sanded down, 2 skim coats, and the trim ripped off. Ayron is going to sand and prime today and Tom is going to lace the ceiling. Then we can paint!

Ayron and I keep having these dreams that Ella shows up early. That would be fine with me! Heck, I threatened my mid-wife and said, "If I go so much as 2 days past my due date I am having my friend and mom do a c-section on my kitchen table!" I went 42 weeks with TJ and do not want to do that again! Stephanie (the mid wife) says she thinks that Ella is smaller than TJ was at this point, but I beg to differ! I am ready for her to be here. In fact, I am silently praying that the false labor I am having right now leads to REAL labor!

Boys With Long Hair

Saturday morning Taylor and I went with Ayron to get his hair cut. We sat at a station next to the one being occupied by Ayron. A lady who was getting a pedicure asked me if we were there for TJ's for hair cut. I polite said, "No. He's had haircuts before, but we like his hair long." She looked at me like I had just admitted to beating my child.

Why is it such a big deal for little boys to have long hair?! This lady looked so appalled. You could tell she was thinking, "Well that is just irresponsible parenting." So my son has long hair, WHO CARES?! People always comment on how long his hair has gotten. Someone said, "You're going to get it cut before the baby comes right?" Why? Were they afraid I was going to get my 3 year old son confused with my newborn daughter?! Why do people care so much about my son's hair?!

We like TJ's hair long. Frankly, he looks silly with it short. We've tried it. It just doesn't look right on him. So we have decided to keep it long. He knows what a hair cut is and he often pretends to give us hair cuts. If you ask him if he wants his hair cut he will simply tell you, "No. My hair stays long." So I have let my 3 year old decide to have long hair. So sue me!

I Still Believe

I got some upsetting news yesterday. A family member has stage 4 cancer. I felt my heart break. This person has been through two other types of cancer and survived. I felt like screaming at God, "HASN'T SHE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH?!" She has 5 children and she is an amazing person. She helped her mother in law through a battle with cancer only to discover she had cancer.

It breaks my heart to know that she is so young (37, I think) and has managed to survive so much, and now this. She has decided to try one last round of treatment. We are praying, but the realist in me knows the odds.

I was cleaning my office this morning and thinking about her and just praying out loud. Well, basically I was yelling at God. I am wondering what it is He wants us to learn from this. I'm finding it hard to see the light at the end of this tunnel because I know the odds.

I decided to turn on my iPod and the first song that it played was "I Still Believe" by Jeremy Camp. I cried through that song and almost had myself settled down and then "When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton started playing. I lost it again.

The first time I heard "When I Get Where I'm Going" was the evening after Ayron's Aunt Cathy's (the mother in law of our now sick family member) funeral viewing. The song touched me so much that for Christmas that year I made a framed picture of Cathy with the lyrics of the song surrounding the picture. I know He is trying to comfort me through these songs, but frankly, I am still just confused and hurt. I wonder what the future holds for her family, her children, her husband. They have all been through so much and now this. I am reminded of a church sign I saw on the way to work today. It read, "Having faith is not hoping He will, it is KNOWING He will." I know He will take care of everything, but it is still hard to see someone struggle so much.

Parenting Tips

Everyone does this thing called "parenting" differently. I say, to each their own. I came across an article by Alice Bradley (REDBOOK) on yahoo today and it cracked me up! Here it is:

I have nothing against friends and family offering advice when you come to them with a dilemma. It's the people who pipe up, unbidden, because they see you with a child and assume you have no idea what you're doing. Too often these people are elderly great-aunts. Fortunately those ladies are afraid of the Internet, so I can rail against them and they'll be none the wiser! Thanks, ladies.

1. "Sleep now, because once that baby comes you'll never sleep again." Technically this is a pregnancy tip, of course, but I'm shoving it in here anyway. Yes, Great-Aunt Hildy, I will sleep throughout my entire third trimester. Because I am part bear.

2. "Sleep when the baby sleeps." Everyone gives you this one — annoying relatives, pediatricians, the cashier at the drugstore where you were buying newborn diapers. Are these people all robots, capable of instantly dropping off to sleep whenever their child is unconscious? Do they not have other things to do, like bathe, or simply relish the rare moments of silence you get when you have an infant?

3. "I think your baby's hungry." Whether you're nursing or bottle-feeding, everyone assumes you don't know how to feed your child. And every time your child cries, whines, grimaces, or squirms, they are going to assume you are starving your poor baby and you need reminders to feed it. Lest you forget! This advice is especially maddening when they turn out to be correct.

4. "Relish every moment of your baby's first years, because they'll be grown before you know it." You mean, time only moves forward? I had no idea! I thought we'd be like this forever and ever! This sort of advice, obvious and innocuous as it seems, always put me on the defensive, as if I had just been carrying my baby under my arm like a football, muttering, "Grow up already, why don't you. Just GROW UP."

5. "I hope you're sleep training that child. Do you WANT him to be spoiled?" Oh, distant relative/person whose aisle I shared at the supermarket, I'm so glad you know exactly my child needs. And that you know, from your years of scientific research, that any child not allowed to cry it out will be a horrible waste of flesh! (See #6 for this parenting tip's counterpart.)

6. "I hope you're not doing that 'crying it out' thing. It's so barbaric. Enjoy your baby all through the night!" Again, kudos to you, whoever you are, for knowing what's best for our unique family situation! I will be calling you at 4 a.m., so you can enjoy our baby as well.

7. "Why are you bringing your child outside when it's so cold out?" It never ceased to amaze me that, no matter what my child's age, total strangers will express alarm and revulsion that I dared expose him to the elements. "And WHY ISN'T BE WEARING MITTENS? He's going to get consumption!"

8. "Your child isn't really sad/angry/injured. He's just manipulating you." There's no doubt that children can push our buttons as if they've had professional training in it, but the notion that my kid's authentic feelings are in fact manufactured to elicit a reaction really chaps my hide. If that were always true, he'd be a pint-sized sociopath. I'm pretty sure that's not the case.

9. "Schools are just glorified prisons. If you loved your child, you'd homeschool." Oh, if only I loved my child enough to abandon my livelihood, tear him away from the community he so enjoys, separate him from the professionals who have dedicated their careers to childhood education, and forced him to stay home all day with me, where we'd be at each other's throats for hours! If only! Please note: I am not opposed to homeschooling, at all — in fact I wish it would work for us, but it would not.

10. "If I were you, I'd just—" OH NO YOU DON'T. I know where this is going. Listen, unnamed distant acquaintance who last parented in the 19th century (it's true — I often get my unwanted advice from ghosts) you don't know diddly about my kid, and our relationship, and what works for us.

Well! That felt good. What did I miss? What parenting advice could you do without, forever? Speak now!

Teacher's Who Blog

I am a teacher. I am teacher who blogs. I try to be really careful about what I post. It can be therapeutic to blog. I don't use names, or give enough details about one person so that they can be identified. I am not your normal teacher. I deal with a stressful group of students (if you don't know what I do, see below). The ones that no one else can get through to, or the ones that no one wants to bother trying to get through to. I love them though. I view them as simply misunderstood. If you find out who they are as a person (and not just as a student), then BAM, usually they will open up and you can help them get back on track.

So as a teacher who blogs, this article intrigued me. She's right people. Students are becoming more and more unmotivated and lazy. They have been handed everything and now expect the teachers to just hand over perfect grades. That's not how I operate as a teacher. You have to prove to me you know the stuff. I don't care if you choose to prove your knowledge to me through a test, project, or just conversation, but prove it!

I liked her comment about how kids want everything now, they wanted it yesterday. When did students become so impatient? I think this has been a shift in society as a whole and not just in students. With today's technology we are able to gain stuff (information, goods, contact) within seconds. We are able to buy unlimited number of things on line. We can talk to friends and family who are half way around the world after only a few simple clicks. So who is to blame for the growing lack of patience? It is society's fault? The parents? A combination?

It bugs me that this teacher was simply venting and now she is being punished. She did not use her name, nor did she mention the school. The blog was simply for her friends and family to read. No one bothered to praise her for her positive comments, but the minute she calls her students out about their lack of effort, motivation, etc. people get upset. Instead of getting upset at the person who blew the whistle, why not look at the students who caused the whistle to be blown in the first place?!

Her comment about parents trying to be more of their child's friend than their parent is true! Your child(ren) have friends. What they need is someone to create and enforce rules and boundaries. Believe it or not, kids who have boundaries feel safe and loved. So if you truly love your child, stop trying to be their best friend and start trying to be their parent!

I blog because it's therapeutic. I will keep blogging. Heck, if/when the time comes that I am in a public school, I will probably start a blog for each of my classes. I can post the homework, classroom topics, discussion questions, etc. So I am a teacher. I am teacher who blogs. Get over it.



**I run a school for juvenile "delinquents" (I hate that term, I like to call them the misunderstood). I get students who are suspended or expelled from local schools (for various reasons ranging from truancy, to fighting, to bringing weapons/drugs to school). I am often the last stop before placement (detention centers or boys/girls school). If we can't help them turn their lives around and get back on track, the judge will have them placed. We are often the first stop out of placement as well. It gives the students time to adjust to being home before throwing them back into the craziness of public school. I work with 6th through 12th graders on any subject. I LOVE MY JOB! I really do!

Changes

Nesting SUCKS! I can't seem to just be happy with a clean house. I spent yesterday morning organizing my baking pans cupboard, the mixing bowls cupboard, and the Tupperware drawer. I don't know why I bothered because I know that in two days they will be back to chaos.

I got a bur up my rear yesterday and decided we needed to move TJ into a big boy bed (twin sized) right then. We went to the store, let him pick out some sheets, came home and made the swap. TJ seemed excited at first, but his resistance to sleep last night may have been a sign. He didn't fall asleep till after 11. Ayron and I both spent time in the bed with him before we gave up and just left him in his room.

I got a new dryer on Thursday, so that was a nice change. It is not new, but new to us and dang that sucker can put out some heat! After not having a dryer for a week I actually had fun doing laundry all weekend....sick right?

Right now my bathroom is being torn apart. A little over a year ago we had the flood remodel of 2009. We finally got the walls the color we wanted, the vanity painted, etc. Now it is being torn into again. We are finally able to replace the shower with a real tub! The lady we bought the house from 4 years ago was an elderly lady who had one of the shower conversion things done so that she didn't have a high edge to step over. Ayron loves the shower because it has a bench seat built into the back wall. I miss having a tub. We finally saved up enough money (seems like every time we got close to having the money something else would break and our money would be diverted) and the tub was ordered. The shower is getting ripped out today and the tub is being installed. I can't wait to crack out the Mr. Bubble and take a bath tonight!

I know my life is headed for a lot of changes so why am I in such a hurry to make a bunch of changes right now? I have the urge to start tearing into the nursery (it has some ugly painted wood paneling that needs to be ripped down). I know these projects take time, but I want them done NOW! I can't help it. It's like I think the sooner I get all the stuff done, the sooner Ella will be here. Why can't I just relax and enjoy what little time I have left with just one kiddo?

What Happened to Books and Cursive Writing

I am not against technology. I have an e-reader, I'm "hip" like that. But I also appreciate the beauty of a nicely bound book.

A local school has just announced that instead of getting textbooks and workbooks, the school is going to invest in iPads for each student. They admitted they haven't fully thought through the process yet. Who will be responsible if one breaks? What if a student loses one? Who can take them home versus who can't? What if the student doesn't have Internet at home and their iPad homework requires it? Seems to me they should have figured all that out before they announced to the local radio and television station their plans.

If I were a parent of a kindergartner, I would ask that the school NOT give my child the iPad. I don't want to be financially responsible for that! I think it is one thing if each classroom has X iPads that are used during the day. Those can be "checked out" and accounted for before the students leave.

With all this technology, I have to wonder what things TJ and Ella will miss out on because they were born in 2008 and 2011. I know they won't be taught cursive. Most schools have done away with that. Frankly, I see that as silly. A local radio station did a call in about it and one gentleman had a good point. If we don't teach our kids cursive, how are they going to learn to actually sign their names on important documents? I enrolled a student on Monday who didn't know how to sign his name. He is 15 years old and has no clue how to write cursive letters!

I know we are pushing our kids to learn more at an early age, but without actual books how are they going to be able to truly enjoy reading? Without cursive writing how will they learn to sign their names? It seems like we are in such a rush to teach all we can at an early age that some basic things/pleasures are being tossed aside. I remember learning how to count to 100 in kindergarten, now they expect your child to be able to do that before kindergarten. Things I don't remember learning till second grade are now taught in preschool! Why are we in such a hurry to make our kids grow up at an early age?

Funeral Schmunearl

I went to a funeral viewing last evening and was reminded of how much I dislike funeral homes. I think it's a great business to go into because people will always need those services, but I just don't like them. Never have, never will.


On the way home Ayron and I got to talking about funerals and all that goes with it. I know that my mom wants cremated and I know where her ashes are to go. I know my dad used to joke around about having a clear topped casket that had a keg attached at the end. I know my sister wants a casket made by some priest group (can't remember where) and a GIANT batch of perfection salad. I have finally decided what I want......NOT A FUNERAL! I want a party. Cremate me, put me in a jar and place me next to the punch bowl. I have no clue where I want my ashes spread, but all I know is, no stuffy funeral homes please!


Ayron and I got to talking about funerals and agreed that the funniest funeral every was my grandfathers. Grandpa Eaton was an avid motorcycle guy. He passed away shortly before Thanksgiving in 2001. Normally, motorcycle riders winterize their bikes beginning of November. All of his friends de-winterized their bikes and rode them to the funeral. I have never seen so many leather clad people wearing chaps in one location before. It was AWESOME! To the people who were shocked to see such a sight, I say, you obviously didn't know Grandpa because he I know he LOVED it. We had a motorcycle lead procession to the cemetery and I remember we all refused to get out of the car until there was a break in the Purdue vs. Michigan State football game. To the people who found this offensive, I again say, you obviously didn't know my grandpa. Now that was a funeral.

So while I don't know where I want my ashes spread, I know that I want a party. None of those posters full of old photographs. No crying or Kleenex. Just a big old party full of chocolate, punch, and some chex mix!

Excuses

A side benefit of my job is listening to absurd excuses. I call it a benefit because 9 times out of 10, the excuses offered always make me laugh. This year, I have heard several new excuses. I had someone tell me they smoke pot to cure their anorexia. They believed that smoking pot caused them to have the munchies, which caused them to eat...ta da, anorexia cured. That one quickly jumped to the top of my list of top 10 excuses.

I heard a new excuse today. We noticed someone was very tired and unmotivated so we asked what time they went to sleep last night. When they told us what time, we talked about appropriate bedtimes, etc. We asked why they were awake so late and they told us, "my tv wouldn't turn off." We asked if they tried the power button on both the remote and the actual tv. They told us, "yeah." We asked if they unplugged the tv. They said, "Yes, but it stayed on." I had to get up and leave the room to keep from laughing. It was clear they were grasping for any "straw" to keep from getting in trouble.

Desk For Sale

In an attempt to futhur prepare for Miss Ella's arrival, we have decided to sell our Sauder computer desk. We are asking $100 or best offer. I didn't realize how dusty the thing was until I looked at the pictures I took last night! We were using it as a catch all for papers instead of an actual desk and it's time we find it a new home. So ignore the dust and my lack of motivation to clean the spare room! We are only selling the desk, not the computer. I just didn't feel like moving the computer off the desk to take pictures.

At the tallest part (the "tower") it stands 42" high. The tower dimensions are 42" x 19 1/2" x 26". The lower part of the desk stands 29" tall. The whole thing is 58" long. Let me know if you are interested. If you can't come pick it up and live locally, we can probably deliver it. It does have a slide out keyboard/mouse shelf. The CD storage part is NOT broken. I just didn't realize some of the slots were folded in on themselves and not pushed all the way back.

Avoid the Princess

Yesterday I read an article written by Pamela Paul in Parents magazine. Pamela interviewed Peggy Orenstein about her new book, Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatched From the Front Lines of the New Girly-Girl Culture. The article intrigued me. The Pamela and Peggy discussed how our culture has turned girls into uber girly-girls. Pamela says, "what can we do to help our daughters who are coming of age today have the best sense of girlhood possible."

It seems our cultures have turned our daughters into wimpy princesses. Why must all girls be associated with such helpless (usually they are portrayed that way) characters who are patiently waiting on a man? Really? Can we not teach our daughters to be happy with who they are? Peggy said, "...what does it mean that our little girls are all about being pretty princesses? Have girls made so much progress that it's no big deal? Or is this the first step towards hypersexualization? I don't remember everything being so pink when we were little - we were all 'Free to Be You and Me' - and I didn't know where this new culture of girl came from."

I just want my kids to be what they want to be. I want them to be strong, independent and happy. I worry that the new found cultural obsession with princesses (do you know how many princess themed bedroom sets, toys, etc there are? Thank you Disney!) will cause my daughter to define herself by making her think that how she looks is who she is.

Don't get me wrong, some cultural princesses are strong women, but they are always waiting around for a man. I think that the new found obsession with princesses is causing younger girls to grow up too fast. Have you looked around the schools lately and noticed what the little kids are wearing? Heck, some of the little kid Halloween costumes I saw in the store this year I considered smut! Do we really want our elementary school girls thinking they have to dress skimpy and be all "made up" to be happy in life? Oh, and what is with little girls using the word "sexy?" I'm sorry, if anyone calls my little girl sexy I may snap. How can a 3 year old be sexy? Really? I have had someone tell my son he looks sexy and I about flew off the handle. HE IS ALMOST THREE! Three year olds don't need to know that word! He can look handsome, but sexy? That word should be reserved for married adults if you ask me! Maybe I am just too conservative, but no child of mine will be "sexy."

I am not knew to the culture of little girls. I have three nieces and have been in their lives since the oldest two were three and four. I have watched them grow into their own. The oldest is a farm girl with a touch of girly-girl. She could kick your butt, hunt her own food, and then put on lip gloss. The middle one is still trying to find her way. I think she will go towards the girly-girl side, but who knows. The youngest will be a mix of both. She likes her make up (lip gloss) but isn't afraid to get in the barn with the cows, goats, rabbits, etc. I want my daughter to be well rounded. To know that it is ok to want to play sports and still be prom queen. If she wants to play on the football team and wear nail polish, good for her!

I look at the female students I have and wonder how they got to where they are. I have had several that use their bodies (or the promise of their bodies) to persuade males to do what they want. What/who taught them this is ok? that not only gives them a false sense of worth, but can make them seem like they are "easy" even if they are virgins. How do I limit her access to the materials that influence that kind of thinking without sheltering her?

So how do I raise a well rounded daughter? I really have no clue. Heck, I don't even know if I am raising a well rounded son. He says "please" and "thank you." Plays well with others, and is happy go lucky, so I think we are on the right path. I see many sleepless nights filled with prayers in my future!

Preparing for #2

7 weeks. 49 days. That's how much longer I have to go, or so I've been told. Taylor didn't show up on time (he was 2 weeks late) so I am not holding my breath that his sister will make her arrival on time (or even early). The past week has brought on the desire to want her here NOW. I don't remember having this feeling with TJ. I think I was too scared about the birthing process. I want Isabella (or Ella as I call her) here NOW! I want to snuggle a baby and rock her to sleep, etc.

I am a lot less paranoid this time around. I know what to expect, or so I think. I know where all the bottles are packed away. Have some of the "supplies" moved to the easier attic access spot, etc. Her room isn't done, but we know what we want to do, so that counts for something right? Her cradle is ready (handmade by my father and brother in law for TJ) and we have some clothes.....diapers....I must remember diapers.

We have finally made a decision about the birth. After much consideration and discussion, we have chosen to use the hospital instead of the birthing center. I like the idea of being able to have pain meds if I choose to. I have not made up my mind yet if I will use meds, but I like knowing that they are available if I want them. I also like the idea of being "pampered" by the hospital staff right after giving birth. I had an amazing team of nurses the first time around (Thank You Nancy Hill and Mrs. Reese, no, not my mom). They were firm, but polite, etc. We have someone to watch TJ and Scooter so I don't feel like I need to rush right home afterwards. I will admit that TJ's birth has me scared crapless to do it again, but she's gotta come out!

In preparing for a new baby, I have sorted through all of TJ's old things. Since they will be born almost exactly 3 years apart (we are talking almost to the day people, can we time it or what?!) their seasons of outfits will match up. I have pulled the gender neutral ones and sleep sacks (do I really care if she is sleeping in a baseball themed sleep sack? Nope!). I still have A TON of boy clothes left. If you know of anyone who is needing baby boy clothes, please let me know! I have a ton. If I can't get rid of them this way, I guess I will have to suffer through a garage sale....please don't make me have a garage sale!

Fish Sauce

So I have been on the hunt for fish sauce all weekend. I have a Pad Thai recipe I want to try and it calls for fish sauce. I checked at Wal-Mart, but apparently they don't feel the need to carry it. So I looked at Kroger. They don't find it important either. I checked at Meijer this morning and low and behold, I found fish sauce. I read the ingredients, out of curiosity and discovered it is is anchovies, salt, and sugar. Ok, simple enough. Then I read the final line under the ingredients. Warning: Does contain fish. Well DUH! It's called FISH sauce. As a consumer I would be upset if my fish sauce didn't contain any fish!

Made me think off all the dumb people who have done stupid things that now require companies to list the obvious on their warning labels.

The first thing that comes to mind is the lady who spilled coffee in her lap and then sued McDonald's for her coffee being hot. Well, had they given her cold coffee she would have complained that it was cold! Coffee is hot, we all know this. Just because you are klutzy enough to dump it in your lap doesn't mean you should be able to sue!

The lady who recently fell into a mall fountain. Ok lady, your 15 minutes of "fame" are up! Heck, your theft wrap sheet has been made public. You were the one texting and walking. It's not like the giant fountain jumped out in front of you and swallowed you up! Sure, you're embarrassed, but why not just laugh at the situation instead of having the public drudge through your criminal records to prove you are an idiot?!

Some irons remind users to remove their clothes before ironing. I guess I thought most people already knew that....apparently not.

Liquid Plumber reminds it's users to not reuse the bottle for beverages. Ok, gotcha.

Windex tells us not to spray it in our eyes. I really don't know what to say to that one.

Arm and Hammer Scoopable Cat Liter wants us to know that their product is safe to use around cats....well, I'd hope so!

A child's size Superman Costume reminds the wearer that although the costume has a cape, it does not enable the wearer to actually fly. Crap! There goes my new idea on how to fly south at an inexpensive rate!

You know all of these dumb warning labels exists because someone was stupid enough to try something, got mad that it didn't work/or they hurt themselves and then decided to make a dollar or two off their stupidity.

Is our culture that stupid?

Do You Derby?

So a year ago I was turned on to a new sport, roller derby! I remember watching the banked track style on tv when I was younger, but being at a live event is awesome! The fact that Ft. Wayne has not one, but two teams is even cooler! If you have never been to a Ft. Wayne Derby Girls bout, you need to go (Claire, if you are reading this, this means YOU!).

If you are not familiar with derby, check out the Ft. Wayne Girls website. If I could skate, I would soo turn Ayron into a derby widow. But since walking provides me with enough challenges, I will remain a screaming fan. Heck, I commemorated my first tattoo with a derby girls bout....ahhh...memories!

Derby starts this Saturday and I can't wait. I have my tickets, do you?

My Creative Mind

I want to start by stating that this post is NOT intended to "diss" the Amish. In fact, I think we all could benefit from a simpler life style. I respect their culture and their beliefs.

I am taking a class about special education and just completed an assignment for class. For this assignment I had to use 2 students from my current teaching assignment and complete a "project" about them. The students I currently have are not culturally diverse nor are they disabled (2 requirements for this project). I had to get creative. I created a student and with the help of a friend (Leah) here is what we created.

Student Name: Benjamin Graber
People who can provide information on this student: Benjamin, Ben’s counselor,
Cultural background: Very limited access to “modern” world
Language considerations: Fluent in both English and German (Amish). English is spoken in the home, while some German is spoken during traditional services/ceremonies
Accommodations needed: Larger student desk that is easily accessible.
Socioeconomic considerations: Traditional Amish family; several extended family members live in the home; dad is a furniture maker; mom tends to gardens and the small siblings.
Learning style information: Written learner
Instructional considerations: If homework assignments require Internet, computer, etc, Ben will need accommodations made so he can complete the assignment.
Back story: (the back story WAS not submitted with my assignment, Leah and I created it just to amuse ourselves....we were amused). Ben lost both of his legs in the freak butter churning accident of 1999. He wanted to get the shiny red wheelchair but the community elders decided it was to ostentatious, so he was forced to get the black and blue version. Ben likes to spend his weekends racing Jacob Yoder and Jacob's miniature pony. Ben can often be heard yelling, "4 wheels are better than 4 hooves. Eat my dust Jacob Yoder!"

Let me finish this post by restating that we are in no way against the Amish. I wish I could live such a simple and religious life. This assignment was simply fueled by my need for a culturally diverse and disabled student, my lack of sleep, and the fact that I slammed a Pepsi for breakfast. This is the amount of creative genius I am capable of on 3 hours of sleep and 12 ounces of Pepsi. Please do not be offended. This was intended to make people laugh. Heck, it sent both Leah and I running for the comfort of our toilets!

I'm an "expert?"

I will be going to court in less than an hour, this is nothing new to me, especially on Monday mornings. Juvenile court cases are done on Monday mornings in the county I work in. The court room doesn't scare me, testifying doesn't scare me, the judge doesn't scare me, mean defense attorney's don't scare me, being considered and "expert" scares me!

I was talking with the judge last week about a particular situation and he asked me to come to court and be an "expert" during that case. Really? Me? An expert? I don't view myself as an expert. I have been doing this job for 5 years now, but I don't consider myself an expert. I am only 27 years old people, how am I old enough to be an expert in anything?! I have some knowledge (thank you Indiana Prison For Women or I Paid For What if you prefer....aka: IPFW) but I am by no means an "expert." Heck, I only hold a bachelors degree! I just start going back to school to renew my license and just this past weekend decided what master's degree I wanted to work on. It just slightly frightens me that my thoughts and opinions could/will be viewed as an expert opinion!

I am an expert in some things, that I will admit. I don't mean to brag or boast, just being honest.

I am an expert at panicking. I do that very well (hence this blog post).

I am an expert at multi tasking thanks to my adult onset A.D.D. I can finish laudry, do dishes, cook dinner, help TJ remember that "E" is a letter of the alphabet, and sing along to the radio at one time.

I am an expert at tripping, especially when pregnant. In order to be considered an expert in this field, one must be able to fall gracefully and not seriously injure themselves. I have fallen so many times throughout my two pregnancies. I usually fall at work. I usually stand up and bow for the jail security cameras and hope that I gave them a good laugh. I wonder if they have a tally board somewhere in the "nest" where they keep track of my falls?

I am an expert on bugging my older sister. I have had 27 years of practice people, 27 years makes you an expert.

I am an expert at changing dirty pants (TJ's, not mine!) in odd locations.

I am an expert at deciphering song lyrics. Sadly, my husband is not. He still thinks that Gwen Stephani's song is "I ain't no Harlem fat girl" instead of "I ain't no holla back girl." I will admit that while we both know the lyrics, we still sing "I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, he calls me FRED!"

I am an expert at butt kissing. I don't deny it. Heck, today is the first official day of "grad school" for me and I have already done one homework assignment, submitted one project, aced a quiz, and started on my lengthy online homework assignment. If that's not kissing up, I don't know what is. My sister might say that I am also an expert at kissing the butts of my parents, but she's just jealous. We all know that parents love the baby the most :) I am totally kidding (kind of).....Love you Natty! Dear Dad, insert gut chuckle here, come on...you know you wanna...don't bother trying to stifle it. Go ahead, leave a comment....you know you want to!

I am an expert at a lot of novice activities (nice oxymoron huh!) but an expert in my old field?! I guess we'll see how this morning goes, then maybe I will consider myself and expert in educating juveniles who are "at risk."