Monday, March 31, 2008

uhhh, nsweotonasioesammmmm.....

Can't form coherent sentences...

sore throat...

back to school, lack of sleep catching up.....


worked on taxes...

will be coherent tomorrow!


Good night!

LOVE

I went to Aunt Billie's funeral tonight. The church was full, which is pretty amazing for a 93 year old! Tells ya how many lives she influenced. The theme throughout the funeral, though it wasn't really planned, was love and laughter.

I need to remember that love and laughter are what lasts. That is what people remember when loved ones are gone....are the love and the laughter.

Speaking of laughter, my sister Suzy and I were having some good ones on the way there and back! She was looking for the church and was looking past the car in front of her, and the car in front of her was braking and she wasn't seeing it, so I started yelling,"Wait! Wait!" Which did the trick, she didn't rear-end the car in front of us, but what in the world was I telling her to wait for?! We got a big kick out of that!

Then on the way home we were talking about a cousin of ours that is mentally disabled (which I didn't even realize he was! I thought he was just very quiet!) and when Suzy was explaining the situation to me, she started whispering! So I said, "Suz, why are you whispering, no one else is in the car!!" So we had another good laugh over that!

OK, it is after midnight, so I didn't officially get a Sunday blog in but we'll pretend, okay? Cause I've stayed up entirely too late looking for an interactive lesson for me to use with my students for EVERY DAY of the week, cause I have a new SMARTboard that I am dying to use!! I am psyched about that thing, let me tell ya!!

So I'm off to bed....which is not even really later than I have gotten to sleep this week with the stinkin' insomnia, so at least I got something productive done, right?!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Happy birthday to my hubby!

Happy 36th birthday, dear one!

I hope that he has had a good day. We went out to eat for a NICE dinner tonight, and he had a NY strip steak. Then we went looking for some good deals on clothes, and got a few things for the boys, him, and a couple of shirts at Old Navy for ME for $2.99 ea! I'm not sure I'll wear them outside the house since they show off my back fat, but hey! For $2.99 I can wear 'em around the house!

I've finished all but 2 exercises of this week's homework, and I still need to do my lesson plans. Tomorrow evening my sister(s) and I will be traveling to Aunt Billie's funeral, so I've got to get this stuff done before we leave if at all possible. I just can't look at doing it at 10 pm tonight though!

Friday, March 28, 2008

We went to see Sue the T-Rex!

Today we took the boys to the Gray Fossil Site! Basically, Tennessee Dept. of Transportation was excavating this area for a road interchange in 2000, and they hit some black dirt unlike the clay mud usually found 'round here. They halted the excavating, and started searching the area for fossils, and they found lots, and are still excavating some! Currently the Sue exhibit is there, and it was really neat to see as well. They even take visitors outside to a dig site to show them what they do and where they have found certain fossils. If you ever have the chance to go to this museum, go! It was really interesting for both the kids and adults!

My Aunt Billie has passed away

Daddy called me this morning. My cousin Dewayne was the last one to see her, and he says that she looked like she was sleeping and peaceful. The service will be on Sunday evening and my dad will take part in the service. More than likely, my sisters and I will travel down and back together.

Please pray for our family!

And here I sit.....

at 12:35 am. Now mind you, I was up this late and later last night and the night before. Yes, you guessed it....I'm in the midst of an insomnia spell. LOVELY! I know that my doctor says that I can take my sleeping pill every night and that it isn't addictive, and even my pharmacy school niece says the same thing, but I really hate doing that. I want to be able to fall asleep on my own.

I HATE times like this. But there again, this falls into the whole 'could I have fibromyalgia?' category. I have been down about my great aunt being sick. I have been stressed because I was at my inlaws. (Not that they stress me out, but I never really know what I'm supposed to be doing there, should I relax, should I entertain the kids, should I try to help cook? so I'm never really relaxed and comfortable) I have felt the stress in my shoulders. My allergies are acting up due to the pollen starting up. Is this all related to the insomnia? Certainly possible. My appointment with a rhematologist is next month.

So. By the way, Tennessee lost tonight to Louisville in the basketball tourney. That stinks.

I really liked watching the inlaws' satellite tv when I couldn't sleep. So being home to our basic cable doesn't really have the appeal it used to. But I did just notice that I have some dvds that I haven't popped open, so I might just do that for a while.

I'm feeling a tad sleepy, so I'm going to try that. I hope that you are sleeping yourself! 'Nite.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Thursday Challenge




"FURNITURE" (Table, Chair, Rocking Chair, High Chair, Sofa, Beds, Desks, Book Cases,...)

To see the theme for next week or see other entries, click here!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Wordless Wednesday--How Boys Have Grown!


This was taken about this time of year 4 years ago!! I can't believe how much my boys have grown!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Aunt Billie

My mom called me here at my inlaws house a while ago. In our family, if you are called while you are out of town, it usually isn't good news, and it wasn't. My Great-Aunt Billie had a massive stroke yesterday. She is in the hospital but will be going to her daughter's house tomorrow. Mom and Dad are going to see her tomorrow.

It makes it so much harder when you're away from home and get difficult news. She, my aunt, knows people and is able to respond, so that is good, but it is probably only a matter of time. She is in her 90s, so she has lived a good life. But it will be the end of an era when she passes away. That is the end of a generation in both my parents' families. She will be the last of their aunts, uncle, and parents to die. And that is hard on my Daddy, which in turn, is hard on me. Mom told me that he cried when he talked to his cousin this evening.

Please say prayers for my Aunt Billie and our family! She is a beautiful, beautiful woman and I love her dearly!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Road trip!

Anyone wanna join us??! We're headed to Halifax, Virginia to visit Chris' parents. They have dialup but it seems to hate me, so I will get on only if I can. I'm going to be going through computer withdrawals, so think of me, and also think of me being in the house with my inlaws for several days. Just sayin'. Not that I don't love them dearly, but my boys take on different personalities in their presence. Can you relate?!

I will miss my couch, my tv, my MacBook, and my freedom to do what I want to, including sitting around in one of Chris' tshirts and my undies if I wish. I will be back to you, dear loyal reader(s), and these amenities of home on Thursday!

Oh and Robin if you read this, what is going on Friday?? Wanna meet up?

TTFN!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

He lives!

I serve a risen Savior!

Happy Easter, friends!!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!

And I am finished with my classwork for the week a day early! wooooohooooo!! AND only 2 weeks left! Even bigger woooooooohooooooooo!

Adam is itchy now from the rash and has a tummy ache, I suspect from the amoxicillin. It was confirmed yesterday morning that he has strep throat and scarlet fever. I pray that none of the rest of us get it!

If I disappear over the next few days, it is cause I've headed to the inlaws. They don't have the most reliable internet service ever, and it is dial-up, so I may not be able to post.

Blessings on you on this holy day before Easter! He is risen and lives today! Hallelujah!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Friday's Feast




Appetizer


Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city?
I pretty much live in the country now, but in a small town. And I like it that way! The country is very close, but I have a grocery store and Wal-Mart pretty close by, too!

Soup

Who is the cutest kid you know?
Um, my two kids of course! Isaac and Adam!

Salad

Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard ___________.
...about Chris' cousin who had embezzled so so SO much money. It still doesn't seem real to me, but sadly, it is.

Main Course


If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise?
I swear by MaryKay's Mattifier! Or Avon's Glimmersticks eyeliner!

Dessert

What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis?
A women's daily multivitamin

Thursday, March 20, 2008

My little man is sick...

....yes, yet again. He started in the middle of the night with a sore throat and fever. It has come back several times during the day/evening. Tonight it is worse, and not really responding to Tylenol. I just put him to bed with some Motrin, so we'll see how he goes...

send us prayers or cross your fingers or send us good thoughts, or whatever you do....

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Wordless Wednesday--The Talent Show Troupe




Isaac and his buddies who performed as the Brady Bunch Kids at the school talent show! Don't they just look the cutest?!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Ever had pink eye?

If not, c'mon over and I'll rub my eye and touch your hand so you can experience it! My first graders have been running rampant with it for about 2 1/2 weeks now. I avoided it successfully for a while, but I've got it now!

And what makes it even better is here is a legitimate reason for me to NOT be in school, but NO, not gonna be, because I had a dentist appointment today...or at least, I did until they called after I left for work saying that the dentist would be out today (she's sick), so I took 1/2 day off and went over there, only to find out that they had called my home number to say we'd have to reschedule. So now I don't feel like I can take off to rest my eye. I have antibiotic eye drops, so hopefully me having 2 or 3 doses in will make me okay. UGH.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Heard from my Compassion child today (and other stuff)

I was THRILLED to receive a letter from Robert today! He shares similarities with my sons, and we can't wait to sit down and write him a return letter! He drew me some nice pictures, so I'm going to let the boys draw him some pictures too!

I was about to forget to remind you to visit Overwelmed with Joy and enter the Pay It Forward book giveaway! I didn't get around to having my own giveaway this month, but I promise I will next month! Drop by there and tell her Christi sent ya!

I forgot to brag about my big boy and how he did in the 1-2 grade spelling bee on Friday! He was the next to last first grader to get out, and was in the top six out of seventeen! I was SO proud of him! He brought home his report card today with all As again! I could just burst with pride! He is bringing immense pleasure to his teacher parents!

Hope you are having a great Monday!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Love so amazing

We had a beautiful service at church today. We had the children come down the aisle with palm branches, then they laid them at the foot of the stand where the cross was later placed. It was carried down by 2 of my nephews while Via Dolorosa was played, which started the waterworks for me! Then we had a fantastic sermon, and we all took name tags that we had been given earlier and stuck them to the cross as a symbol of Jesus taking our places there. Very effective as far as I was concerned! I was crying already when my sister, who was leading children's church today, started leading the children down the aisle. I met the boys and helped them to place their name tags on the cross and then we knelt at the alter and prayed. By this point, the praise team was singing "Amazing Love", and I just sat with my boys beside me and let the tears flow.

My frustrations, my irritations, the areas in my life where I am not seeing the movement in the way I want.....all are nothing. Without the cross, without Jesus' sacrifice, I wouldn't even be here, much less have so many, many blessings. And my worries, my venting of my frustrations, do they further God's kingdom? No, they don't--and they don't deserve my attention and energy. Praise the Lord for Him showing me this today!

I usually post my more spiritually based thoughts in my other blog, but during this Holy Week, I will share them here, for my faith in Christ is so central to who I am, and I wouldn't be ME without HIM! Thanks be to God!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Happy 7th birthday, Isaac!

Today is your birthday, my very sweet boy! I remember vividly where I was 7 years ago....laying in a hospital bed after being induced into labor and given a epidural, waiting for you to work toward being born. It was a long day! But well worth it in the end, since I got to bring home such a beautiful baby boy! You had your own idea about things from day one, including when and where and how long you would sleep! I've never seen a three day old baby fight sleep like you did! I remember tiptoeing to lay you down in your crib and jostling you too much, only to march back to the rocking chair to start the whole process over. But still, you were a joy then and continue to be a joy today.

When you were small, I never would have thought that you would be so calm and determined to learn at school! You were pretty high strung and didn't want anything to do with coloring and learning letters. But as soon as you started school, your first child tendencies came out. You are a hard worker and are very smart!

You have accomplished so many things in your short life, and there have been so many opportunities for me to beam with pride. You have already sung solos, played soccer and basketball, been a Cub Scout, participated in the school spelling bee, and danced in the talent show! That is a lot more than I had done at your age! You are a sensitive soul and are always nice to others and stand up for those who others are mistreating. You are a loving brother and cousin and enjoy the company of others.

Happy birthday sweetheart, and I hope I don't have to banish you to your room today for mistreating your little brother!

I love you Isaac Christopher! You are a light in my life!!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Wordless Wednesday--Frustrated



And that's all I feel like saying about that!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Monday....

What is there to say about Monday? I had a cruddy meeting with a parent today where he was totally unreasonable and rude, and not trusting our opinions as professionals, and not taking into consideration what his child can truly do. Very frustrating. We had the talent show at school today so I didn't have to teach after 12:45, so that was okay!

It is amazing that giving up one hour of sleep can throw your body off the way it does! I'm very out of sync. Are you?

This is a jam packed week with Chris or I, or both, having something every night after work. I know we'll get through it, but it'd be much easier with some downtime together!

Note to self: mention to Chris that I'd like to have a movie that *I* would like to see on the Blockbuster que!!

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Remember that list of things I had to do today?

I'm making my way through it, down to writing lesson plans and finishing putting away the clean clothes! However, it is 9:15, my body thinks it is 10:15, and I have bus duty in the morning to repay someone who did mine for me when I was sick! So no great words of wisdom today....not that there ever are! Happy Sunday!

Photobucket Photobucket

Saturday, March 8, 2008

What a day!!

It was a busy one, but honestly, since it was the first Saturday we've all felt well in weeks, I am not sorry that we were busy--I was thrilled we all were WELL!!

Chris let me sleep in a bit, and then I hopped up, ate me some Special K with Chocolate Bits (that probably isn't the real name but it is what I call it!) and put a load of clothes in the wash. We vegged out for a bit and then all got dressed and ready for Chris' parents to meet us here. Then we headed to Fun Expedition! Isaac isn't having a big family bash like we usually do, so Mamaw and Granddaddy wanted to do something special with him. Chris' brother and his wife and 2 kids met us there, and fun was had by all!

We then loaded back up in cars and headed to Carino's for lunch, which was waaaay yummy! Isaac opened his presents there and was less than thrilled with his Webkins that he has asked for, so Daddy and I were frustrated. If it was just US there, it would have been different, but Mamaw kept going on and on about how she'd get him something else and that we shouldn't fuss at him, and blah blah blah.....it is just overkill. That isn't the point. But we tried not to let it ruin the day. What was most frustrating was he said that wasn't what he was expecting, but he couldn't tell me WHAT he was expecting??

Anyway, we came home and rested a bit before taking Isaac for his first sleepover at H.'s house. I then put some more clothes in, did some work for my class, and we ate and watched some tv. I talked to my sister and mom on the phone, and then someone beeped in. I checked the messages since I was on the phone, and it was H's mom. Isaac was sad and wanted to come home. Chris wasn't surprised, but I had honestly expected him to stay all night! So he stayed about an hour more, then I went back and got him. (after another load of clothes, of course! LOL)

And on the plate for tomorrow: Sunday School, church (in which I have both the Children's Sermon and Children's Church!), an school system Art Extravaganza that Chris and I can get credit for attending, D.U.C.K.S, choir practice, and somewhere in there finish my class stuff, write lesson plans, and finish picking up the house!

Phew! I'm tired just thinking about it!

And next weekend, we have a birthday party on Friday, a birthday party on Saturday, and mom and dad are taking Isaac out for dinner and to a play for his birthday. Our high school basketball team is headed to Richmond for the semi-finals, and Isaac wanted to know why we couldn't go! But when I told him the list of things that were going on, he was cool with it. We did go last year, but last year we weren't saving money for a cruise, so that changes things!

Hope you are having a fantastic weekend! :D

Friday, March 7, 2008

There's a party goin' on right here....

Celebrate good times, c'mon!

Ultimate Blog Party 2008


That is the song that my niece sang tonight in our school talent show, and since we're starting a blog party, isn't it appropriate?!

So a little bit about me and my blog!! I am Christi! I turned 35 last month and have been happily married to my best friend Chris for almost 10 years. He and I have two sons. Isaac will be seven next week and is in first grade. Adam is four and is preschool. We have a lot of fun hanging out, goofing off, and just enjoying being a family! Isaac has just started into more activities such as soccer, basketball, Cub Scouts, Royal Ambassadors, and just tonight was in the school talent show, so this is a big part of our lives now. In my spare time (HA!) I sing in our church choir and enjoy taking part in some online parenting communities. I also am *trying* to raise some extra money on the side with some home based businesses, and if you wanna hear about those, I'll gladly tell ya!

Let's see...what else......we are very involved in our church. We are blessed to attend church with my sisters and their families and my parents. That is good, because otherwise I wouldn't see my family much cause we are all so busy! I am proud to be a United Methodist, and even prouder to be a child of God. I am imperfect, am a sinner, and constantly fall short of His grace....but I keep trying! I also have a blog where I place my Bible studies and such, so check out my profile and visit me there as well!

Since this IS a party, how about an appetizer recipe?!

Here is an easy one. I am NOT a cook, so it has to be simple with me. You can't get much simpler than this!

Pepperoni Bites

pepperoni, as much as you want to fix
cream cheese

Cover 1/2 of each pepperoni slice with cream cheese. Fold the remaining half over the covered half.

And that is it! Told ya it was easy!!

A fun part of this blog party is the PRIZES! Some of my faves are:
1. 70 Chocolate offered by The Chocolistas

2. 7 Bead Dangle Photo Tile Necklace offered by Elemental Memories

3. 90 — Fused Glass Pendant shared by Lucky Girl Trading Co.

If those are not available, I'd be thrilled with 16, 32, 38, 44, 52, 60, 62, or 64 or truly, ANY prize! This is an awesome, fun time and I'm itching to get started!



Well, I hope that you visit again after this week. God bless you, and thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Memories....

Boy, I've gone through 'em this evening. And some of them wear me out just thinking about them! I saw some old yearbooks in the basement and brought them upstairs to look at them. That was pretty fun, looking at all of us in years past! It did bring back some rough memories, like pictures of the two friends we had die while we were at Emory. But seeing pics of good times were just that....good. I then went and got a drawer full of stuff that I put in there my senior year at Emory and have since moved several times! Lots of it needs to be tossed, but man....the memories. Memories of dates, memories of drunken times, memories of functions, memories of ex-boyfriends and the hurts they caused. I guess that is the thing that came back kind of raw tonight was the ex-boyfriend stuff.

It is evident that 15 years....15 YEARS! after he and I split up that it was such a defining moment in my life when I still avoid him. Last week he and his wife were at a restaurant where Robin and I were eating. We avoided them, and did so successfully, but the fact that I NEED to shows how deeply the situation hurt me.

First, let me get something straight. I do NOT still have feelings for him or wish that things turned out differently. I know that things are the way that the Lord intended, and looking back, he had many qualities and habits that would have been very difficult to live with. It was the way it ended, and the fact that I was so deeply depressed and didn't realize it, so much so that the breakup just about BROKE me, that brings up the hurt. I will never forget the pain and the heartwrenching despair I felt when he broke up with me, and how it didn't end for a long long time, truly for more than a year. I even dated someone basically on the rebound even though it was over a year and a half after we broke up. I dated the guy for as long as I did simply because he wanted me.

I had the first panic attacks I've had in years this past fall after his father died. It just brought up so many painful memories that I had two in one day, and they were totally unrelated to what I was doing at the time, I know. Scary!

And then there was stuff in there from G. too. I will always have a tender place in my heart for him. He was my first love. Truly, if we had met 10 years later, or even 5 years later, things might have been different. But I was NOT ready to settle down forever at 19! He really was a sweet guy, and from what I hear, he is doing well, other than the fact that he and his wife split up.

So many changes. So many people that you think you're going to be around forever. So many reasons that you aren't. I love my life and the people that surround me. I am VERY blessed, because I am surrounded by such uplifting, Godly people. My coworkers, truly, are the best. I love them so much, I could just do a post of the love and respect I have for them! And to have the wonderful family support and love I have as well is tremendous!

Ok, one little side note.....my house is a WRECK and I could almost guarantee that my inlaws will stop by sometime this weekend! What joy!! LOL Better get to cleaning, huh?!

One good thing about memories.....they are in the PAST and I don't have to relive them! And with that, I go to sleep.

Pics of my boys!



This is Isaac, who will be 7 next week, and hubby's niece, who just turned 8. She had a 50s theme party, hence the clothing and slicked back hair! Isaac's hair is super thick, so this is as 'back' as it gets!



And this is Adam, who is 4!

So there are my pride and joy!
I'll have to get a pic of Isaac tomorrow...he's going to be in the school talent show, performing with some other teacher's kids and friends as the Brady Bunch! They're doing "Keep On", remember that routine?! They are adorable!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Wordless Wednesday: Tornado




A tornado hit one of my hometowns, Big Stone Gap, Virginia, where I lived from 1983 to 1987. If you read Adriana Trigiani, this is the neighborhood where Ave Maria lives at the beginning of Big Stone Gap. Adri's mom still lives in the neighborhood, as far as I know. The house pictured is the Polly house, and is one of the oldest in town. One of my childhood to college best friends grew up in the house across the street.

Please pray for the residents as they deal with this! It is very rare that we have tornados in these mountains!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Let's try this again: We have a winner!

Unfortunately for her, my first winner did not contact me to claim her prize. #2 who was randomly generated did not leave her Blogger profile open for others to view. So the moral of the story is either be sure to leave a way to be contacted and/or the third try's a charm!

So our winner is.....geekbearinggifts! I've emailed you, so please contact me with your details so I can get this out to you!

I finally, FINALLY, feel good today! It's about time! Made it successfully through a full day of school and class til 6:30 without feeling absolutely bushed. Hooray!

OK, off to read a bit and then head to bed. Have a good one, if you read this!

Monday, March 3, 2008

Well, maybe not catching up, but....

oh well, right? Chris took 1/2 day off today and went to the doctor. He has walking pneumonia. I figured since he did, I would. Over 2 hours at the doctor later, and I was wrong! So! Now I'm worn out, have a very growly tummy, and still am behind.

But I don't have walking pneumonia, so that is good!

And I whipped out two PowerPoints for class today. Woo hoo for me!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Will I ever catch up?

Do you ever feel like this? Like you are perpetually behind on everything? Schoolwork, laundry, dishes, email, etc. Where I was out of pocket for several days with Adam and Chris and I all sick, I am still not caught up. And my durn family won't just go naked! LOL

I'm way behind on work for the class I'm taking. And then the one computer with Windows capabilities in the house is so old that the programs that I need to run aren't running. Our other computers are Macs, so they won't run what I need to run either. I did actually get my classwork for the online class done yesterday thankfully! I need to write lesson plans, and actually need to get down on paper what we did last week! Ugh. I'll catch up eventually, right?!

Saturday, March 1, 2008

EDITED: February Pay It Forward Giveaway Winner!



The winner of Deborah Smith's Stone Flower Garden is Amber! Amber, I'll be emailing you, or if you see this email me first!

Thanks to all of you who entered! I'm gonna *try* to visit all of your blogs, though it may take me a while!

Have a great Saturday and keep looking for March's giveaway to be posted soon!

Edited: I haven't heard from Amber yet. If I don't hear from her by 9 pm Tuesday, March 4, I'm going to go ahead and move down the random.org generated list! So if you know Amber, tell her to come let me know she's still interested!