Jason Mraz-I'm Yours

If you listen to the music on this blog, you'll notice we changed the first song to Jason Mraz-I'm Yours. Ryan LOVES this song and is learning the words, much like she still loves to sing "Had a Bad Day"--I think the cutest part is that she doesn't really know the words. It is adorable the little words she makes up so that she can sing along.

Ryan is also into using the computer. We put it on just a blank page of Word, and let her go to town. She loves to find the letters to type her name and really thinks she is a big girl because she gets to use the computer. As I type, she is saying, "Mom. Are you done? Are you done yet, Mom?" She is impatient (as most 3 year olds are I suppose!) and wants what she wants right away. Today she wanted some cheese on the way home and couldn't understand why we had to wait until we got home to get it. Chris tried to explain, "Honey, I don't have the refrigerator with the cheese in my car." Ryan: "Why?" ---ahhh....the why stage at its best! : )

On another note two of our friends had babies this week. Chris's high school friend, Shaun and his wife Samandra, welcomed a little boy, Micah. And another of Chris's high school friends, Jeff and his wife Alma had their baby today. So it is a week of new beginnings and happy thoughts! We're keeping them all in our thoughts and prayers as they adjust to parenthood. We wish them the best! (and start gearing up for those babies to grow into cute little kiddos who sing songs and ask "is it going to take a long long time til it's my turn on the computer!)

Daytona 500

I'm completely stealing a story from my mom here. She and my dad were at the Daytona 500 this past weekend. Mom was telling me a story about a couple they were with where the wife was clearly irritating the husband because she would not stop talking and talking and talking. He tried to be subtle by putting his finger up to his mouth to "shush" her. This apparently went on and on until finally, the last day, he says, "For the love of God, will you shut up?!"

You see stuff like this all the time on shows, but not in real life! She said they got a real kick out of this couple over the weekend. I'm sure they did, since it happened to another couple and not them! : )

Something I think is very cool about my dad's job is that occasionally, he gets to go on some pretty interesting trips--like this one to Daytona (though it is old hat for them--they were there last year to support Tony Stewart--they have a new driver now for the Home Depot car in case you aren't "up" on the NASCAR circuit!...we wouldn't be except Dad keeps us in the know!) He also got to go to the Superbowl this year. He went to Cuba last year for business, too. Of course he has to work during these weekends, too and I know he would really probably rather be home since he travels 5-6 days a week every week, but I guess it is a perk of sorts! I'm also grateful that my mom gets to go sometimes. I know she enjoys that time with Dad and has fun being entertained by ladies who can't keep their mouths shut! : )

I guess with our jobs in education, we won't be going on trips like that for work....maybe to Brenham for a soccer tournament, or to Austin for a principal's convention.....that's not exactly the same thing. I guess our perks come from working with great people and with kids who we get to teach and guide and become a positive part of their lives. That's just about as good as the Superbowl.

Tough Biker Chick

When we got home today, Ryan decided she wanted to get geared up to ride her bike. Since it was a GORGEOUS day, I was happy for the chance to get out there and enjoy it, too. But, before we went out, she says, "Mom, take my picture!" Of course, I never turn down that chance, so I got my camera. As she posed, she said, "Look at my mean face!" I said, "You don't want a picture like that do you? You want to make a happy face, right?" "No!" she says, "Take it with my mean face!" So, here you go: Our Tough Biker Chick (princess elbow pads and all)!

Quick Ear Update

Ry's surgery on Friday went well. She got the new tubes and adenoids out in about 25 minutes. They had to do an IV and breathing tube during the procedure this time...she was a little nauseated right after, but then was just tired and slept when we got home. The afternoon was okay--she seemed to be feeling fine and we had a pretty good day. Then about 6pm Ry started to be very nauseated. At 7:30pm she started throwing up and didn't stop until 2am. It was a long night to say the least. She was up again at 7am and seemed to be feeling fine. We ran a couple of errands, and while out she said that she was feeling sick again. It has been another day of nausea....not fun, but I suppose it could be much worse so we should be thankful!

Tonight is Sadie Hawkins dance for our school out at a large expo center in Bryan. It goes from 8-midnight and would be fine save for our short night last night! Hopefully it will be problem free! I also promised to post a picture of Ryan since there hasn't been one in a while. To all of you reading this who will also get a Valentine from Ry, sorry you are seeing this early! We had the fastest photo shoot ever today while Ry was feeling up to it!! : )

Tired

Do you ever get those weeks where you just don't sleep worth a flip? I've been having one for about a week now. I keep having bad dreams that wake me up and I don't seem to get to that deep restful sleep. I think, "am I not tired enough?" and "am I too tired?" "do I need to be working out more?" "what the heck is the problem?" Why can't I get a good night's sleep? YUCK!

I know some of it is that I am worried about Ryan's surgery on Friday. She's got to get tubes again in her ears and will have her adenoids taken out. I'm nervous about seeing her under anesthesia. Chris did that last time with the tubes, so I didn't see it. He calls it the single worst moment he's had since she was born because it was so traumatic for him. How can that not make my stomach turn at the thought?

I think that some of it is also work. It is a busy job. It's stressful and as my former principal Chrissy always says, "it is rich and full". Tonight for example we were leaving the basketball game (yay, you guys know how much I love the bball games) at Reed Arena, and bam! Fight! Police, mayhem and foolishness! I wanted to hide, leave, or maybe both. Instead, I stayed around, trying to get other students to leave (yes it was our students fighting), freezing outside without a coat (my fault), and wishing our kids would find a better way to deal with issues they have with each other. Additionally, I wonder if it is really over, or if tomorrow morning will just erupt the same fight in a new location (like the cafeteria where I'm going to be on duty).

So there it is....two posts in a row about work....not a good sign! How many days until Spring Break again?

Also, I'll try to post some pictures of Ryan soon--this blog is getting a little wordy! : )

Soccer Season

So soccer fans--I hope you are geared up 'cause it is officially soccer season. I am signed up as an administrator on duty for all of Chris's home games, which is a good deal for both of us, as I get to see him and watch the games AND I don't have duty for things like basketball (hate it) or baseball (yawn). I do have a prime seat this year. The pressbox! It is not only warm and cozy up here, but there is freaking INTERNET! So, I'm here, with my laptop, watching the game. I worked on school work for the JV game and now have time for, you guessed it--BLOGGING! Ahh...the joys of technology.

Additionally, my mother in law Megan has been so great and is watching Ryan during all of these games, which is truly a great help--thanks, Megan!

On another note, one of Megan's good friends who owns Jim-n-i in downtown Bryan (get down there girls, it's good stuff at good prices!) told me about this photographer who takes AMAZING photos and gives classes so you can too! I'm going tomorrow for a class in art. I'll let you guys know how it goes! It is supposed to be an overnight deal, but with the game, I'm missing half of it (bummer). Oh, hey.....awww...nearly a goal for the Tigers! So anyway, let me tell you a little about my day:

1. checked my calendar, saw just one meeting at 3pm and the soccer games tonight. Hooray!
2. made a list of about 12 things I really needed to get done today since I should have time for them.
3. went out to duty before school
4. came back to my office to make passes for students for 2nd period, did 1st thing on my list (getting together Sat. d-hall list for tomorrow), answered emails for school, sighed happily because I just knew it was going to be a great day.
5. Go out to duty for 2nd period--student spits from 2nd floor to first, walk him to office, start to look up the footage since girls said it hit them
6. Day starts to fall apart: teacher comes in very upset at another teacher, I see a few students, folders start to pile up for phone calls home, I get pulled into a surprise meeting, etc.
7. I see a few kids 3rd period and hope I can get back on track.
8. Lunch--my day is shot. I spend the rest of the day with searching for drugs, sending students to alternative campus, scarfing down half a sandwich and chips while tugging a trash can around the lunch room to be sure kids don't leave things a mess, counseling students crying in the bathroom and students refusing to go to class because they don't like their teacher.
9. 3pm: I have my meeting. The only thing on my calendar. It is a good meeting, and one of just two things I got accomplished from my list that I needed to get done.
10. Come back to campus for after school duty--great weather outside and pleasant, until the fight that is....
11. Get the heck outta the office and over to the game! (thank heavens!)

Now here I am, soccer still going on, and it seems so long ago already that my day crashed. Amazing what this sport will do for ya! Go Tigers! : ) (and Yay--we just scored too!)

The Cough

So Ryan has been dealing with a runny nose, dried boogie face, and persistent little cough for about two weeks off and on. I'm sure it doesn't help that we go from 80 degrees one day to 50 degrees the next then back to 80, then 50 again....not ideal. So last night was Chris's last night away for a soccer tournament over night (thank heavens!), and Ryan and I had an evening spent arguing over little things (like which cookies she wanted, the one with the frosting or to make ones from Nestle Tollhouse which she couldn't decide on and threw a fit over--ahhh, three year olds). Then I gave her some Benedryl before bed as the Dr. suggested and as we've done the past couple of nights to help her get to sleep.

This was followed by 6 full hours of the most terrible, lose your breath, think it might make you throw up, not sleeping with this cough you've seen. She was miserable. I was miserable. At one point (around midnight), we got up and turned on the computer to make sure we didn't need to be considering a trip to the ER in the middle of the night. (thank God we didn't). So after a few more puffs from the inhaler, some motrin (the girl's gonna be super sore from all the coughing), and another couple hours (I think it was nearly 2am) of sleeplessness and praying for God to help us, Ry finally fell asleep (me too I think...) from 2am until, you guessed it, her usual-6:15am!!! Her internal clock seriously needs adjusting! Surely she was tired, but she still got up, came in the living room (I slept on the couch so I couldhear her better if she was struggling to breathe--we tried my bed, but she doesn't sleep well in there anyway since it's unfamiliar) and announces, "Mom? I'm hungry."

So with half open eyes I fix up the Captain Crunch Berries (I know, they aren't real berries and so aren't really healthy, but whatever!) and attempt to lay back down on the couch. "Mom? Can I watch somethin?" (Tigger and Pooh miraculously appears). "Mom? I thought we were going to eat Crunch Berries together." (maybe in a little bit) "Mom? I need to go potty. Can you turn on two lights?" Who am I kidding I'm up--and might as well have some Crunch Berries too.