Yep, that's right today is THE day. I am officially 26, and starting that gumption thing I mentioned earlier. LOL It's not as easy as it sounds, but I'm determined to try and take it day by day. So, wish me luck, blow out a candle for me, and have a wonderful day, on me!!
Reading
Blogging
The girl in the previous video, Lacey Schwimmer, was one of my favorite dancers. Well now Elisa is releasing a new U.S. album, and in honor of that her website has created a new video featuring Lacey. It's so pretty too, that I had to share, so enjoy!!
Hope your summer is full of beauty and art!!
Bright Colors!!
Fabulous sandals!!
Barefeet AND dips in the pool!!
Enjoy your summer and hop on over to Rachel's blog to check out the other entries!
Not having actually been in the courthouse, is it awful that I am shocked and disappointed in this verdict? I think he's guilty. There I said it. Maybe I bought into the hype, or maybe he really was framed. I guess the only thing we'll really know was that there was enough doubt for the jury to find him not guilty.
Care to discuss/share your opinion? Please do, I'm all ears.
*The following is me, venting. I admit there are other things *cough*hormones*cough* going on with me right now, but this is how they manifested, so I'm venting.*
You know, I try to let little comments roll off my back, mainly because they're coming from a toddler and so I recognize that he is venting his frustrations the only way he knows how, but turning four made things worse. I hoped things would get better, but turning four has gone to his head. He thinks he's all grown up now, Mr. Independent, and therefore takes tones when he speaks, does things without telling anyone, and yeah basically acts like he's twenty-four. The way he talks now is what is very irritating. He's so rude! Not foul mouthed, yet, but just the tone of his voice and the way he says things, it's like having a sulky teenager in the house.
I didn't let the running away when he saw me pull up to the house, effect me, because I knew he was just upset that the parents were leaving, but you know when he looks right at you and says, "I don't like you" it kind of hurts, especially when it happens not 5 minutes after walking into the house, and you haven't even spoken to him. Honestly it makes me want to quit right now. Who cares if I have another job lined up, screw it all!! (OK I'm too "responsible" for that, but seriously, would you stay at a job where you're put down?)
I know, I know, tomorrow is another day and sure enough he'll do something completely sweet and win me over again, but I just needed to vent, and not keep it inside. So I hope all you out there are having a wonderful day, and just know, even if I don't know you, I like you. :)
For those of you familiar with the world of Christian music, the name Stephen Curtis Chapman will be known to you. Sadly, his youngest daughter was hit and killed by a car yesterday. As if that couldn't get any worse, the car that hit her was being driven by her teenage brother. Those of you that believe in prayer, please pray for this family. She was only 5 years old, and one of the three little girls the Chapman family has adopted from China.
My hearts and prayers go out to them.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! Mine was excellent. Everything I had planned for my mom went smoothly, and I was completely exhausted afterwards! LOL The entire weekend was rather busy for me. The two older kids had multiple sporting events, and Sunday was not only Mother's Day it was also the little one's 4th birthday!
Monday was the 14th birthday of the oldest, and we all celebrated with a dinner out. Do you know how difficult it is to shop for a 14 year old? It's that age where everything they use to like they hate, and everything they want to like is not quite age appropriate for them yet. Thankfully in times like this, girls always love jewelry!
Well I hope y'all enjoy the rest of this month, as school ends and summer officially approaches!
Rachel tagged me, so here it goes. :)
What I was doing ten years ago: I was 15, back from the mission field for 7 months, hating high school and wishing I was back in Kazakhstan. Not a great year for me. Had my first "emotional breakdown."
Five things on my to-do list today: Work, e-mail Crystal, get M to bed on time with minimal fuss, get organized for Mother's Day, watch Grey's Anatomy.
Things I would do if I were a billionaire: Pay off bills, buy new cars, buy own place, and travel.
Three of my bad habits: Reading late at night, "grazing" (a.k.a mindless eating), running late.
Five places I've lived: Abbeville, AL; Karaganda, Kazakhstan; Columbus, GA; Cleveland, TN; Athens, GA.
Five jobs I've had: PK/MK (oh yeah, it's a job), TA at a day care, babysitter, cashier at Garden Ridge, and nanny.
Five people I want to know more about: Anyone who wants to post this on their blog.
So, I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but the 3 year old (he'll be 4 next month! maybe things will get better?) has an issue with his pants. This has been going on for about a year, and it started with his shoes. They had to be SUPER tight and if they weren't tight enough he'd go into full temper tantrum mode. Now he'll only wear his Crocs and he has to wear socks with them. So then the "issue" moved to his pants/shirts. First he wanted to wear the pants that were so tight I almost couldn't button them, and for his shirts all the buttons had to be buttoned (yes even the top one on polo shirts). Then he decided he didn't like any shirts and pants that buttoned. So now all he'll wear is t-shirts and pants with elastic waistbands. His mom and I thought it was a control issue, since before her or I would pick out his clothes, so we started letting him pick out his clothes, but he still only wants to wear certain pants/shirts. Recently though even the pants that he loves, and would wear every day if we'd let him, have made him start to freak out and he says, "They're falling down!!" and collapses onto the floor into hysterics. It's really becoming ridiculous, because they fit him perfectly and we're not going to put him in stuff that is going to fall off of him.
Now with the warmer weather coming we're trying to get him in shorts (because all of the pants he likes are lined jogging pants that are winter wear, and not suitable for these GA summers) and even when he picks out the shorts it's like all hell breaks loose. His poor mom has had to tell him she's going to make him go to school in his underwear, just to get him to put on clothes that are warm weather appropriate. Yes, he'll complain about being hot, when playing outside, but when I suggest that maybe he should put on some shorts, or take off his socks, he's like, "NO." and I say, "Well I can't do anything for you then." The other day I fought with him for 45 mins about it, because he wanted to go outside and the only way he could was to wear shorts (which he picked out and then freaked out over.) I know, I know pick your battles, but this one was started earlier by his mom and I felt like I needed to follow through with it, because he already tries to play us.
So, now I'm not even sure it's a control issue, but just him being stubborn. I don't know, but it sure is getting old fast! LOL If you're reading this and have any suggestions, please comment, 'cause his poor mom and I are just dying here!
Alligator
Kite
Life is pretty normal right now, however this also equals boring and therefore nothing super interesting to post on this blog. The kids have been fine, although it's always a struggle with the 3 year old. Right now Nana is visiting so that makes for occasional interesting events. Yesterday we engaged in a full out tickle war with the 3 year old, me, the 13 year old, and Nana. At one point the 3 year old was so exhausted from laughing he said, "Oh I think I'm going to die!" Needless to say we got a great laugh from that. Other then that I've been filling in for the mom driving the kids to different sport activities. Like I said, life's pretty normal. Scary. . .
So, I decided to juxtapose my last title with today's, as I talk about the lovely day that was today.
This afternoon about 3:30, after the exhaustion of school and play hit him, the three year old fell asleep on the chair watching TV. His mom came in from and errand and decided to cuddled with him for about an hour. She put him on the couch as she was leaving, and I waited until her and the older two kids had left before I tried to wake him up. So I gently go over there and tell him it's time to get up, and immediately he's diving into my arms going, "cuddle first" and falling right back to sleep. It was so sweet! It was like he was a baby again, just so calm and non-aggressive. *sigh* He's the best when he's sleeping - LOL. So we sat like that for 20 minutes. It was quiet and the rain and the wind was going on outside - I seriously could have fallen asleep myself, because he generated so much heat and the weather. It was blissful. :)
Then I finally got him up, and made dinner, and decided that he and I would make our own movie night, since his mom and sisters left us at home. So after dinner I checked the movies, and Firehouse Dog was coming on. He loves movies with animals in it, so it was perfect. I popped some popcorn with his help, because he asked to help (I let him punch in the time on the microwave), and we turned on the movie. It was a perfect night, really. The movie was great, I really enjoyed it myself, and he had seen it before, so it was fun to listen to him try and tell me what was going to happen next (he has a pretty amazing memory for this stuff).
Honestly it's the days and nights like this that make it all worth it.
Okay so maybe it's not exactly hell, but it is chaos, that's for sure.
On Tuesday night we all went to Chuckie Cheese for the elementary school's PTA Fun Day. Surprisingly it wasn't that crowded by the time we went, but seriously, do they pump sugar in with the air? It's like sensory overload!! And of course, the three year old wants to run around like a crazy person jumping on every game and trying everything. This was actually his first time there, so boy was he excited!! We let him play whatever he wanted to, even if he wasn't old enough to get the concept. He loved hitting the hippos as they popped up, trying to kick the soccer ball into the goal, and of course "driving" everything! We did actually get him to eat one small slice of pizza, but he was crawling all over the booth, he was so antsy!
The most frustrating part, of course, was just keeping up with him. As soon as one ride/game was over, POW he was off to the next thing! Pushing past people, jumping in front of people - oh my goodness. Like I said, sensory overload. Now I understand why the mom hasn't wanted to go there. It's insane! The guy working the prize counter was very nice though - he basically let the three year old have two prizes that were 60 tickets more than what he actually had (so sweet).
Of course now all we hear is, "We go to Chuckie Cheese?!?!" Oh dear . . .
This week I had another overnight stay at work, while the parents were away. I usually enjoy these overnights, but am completely wiped out at the end of them, even if it's only 3 days (as this was). Something always happens during these overnights that make me reevaluate my behavior, reactions, or expectations, and this time was no exception.
I usually have one day of these overnights where I get so irritated at every little thing and blow my cool. Usually I can blame it on PMS, or sheer exhaustion, but whatever the situation I always regret it 2 seconds later. I want the kids to enjoy being with me, yet not feel they can take advantage of the fact that I'm not their parent, but I was also raised a certain way that makes me have high expectations of them, age appropriate of course. I won't go into detail, because it's very frivolous and only makes me feel worse, but this time it involved the three year old. I lost my cool with him over not listening, even though it was such a minor thing that was more irritating to me, than harmful. I've been trying so hard to be as pleasant as possible, yet firm, because we've been dealing with the issue of him screaming and running away crying every time I show up. Even though I don't take it personally, I want to do what I can on my end, to help him get over this phase, or whatever you want to call it.
This time it just got me thinking. Will I be like this when I become a mom? Are my kids going to have to worry that once a week I'm gonna blow up at them over something stupid? Or will I be different because they are my kids? Will I be worse because they are my kids? I feel like I've learned a lot about myself over the five years I've been a nanny. Most of it positive, but then you have those days that make you question whether or not you're fit to be a future parent, no matter how strong the desire of your heart.
I know we've all been yelled at by parents, and the simple fact is no one is perfect and that parents will yell and get mad at their kids. I just hope that I can start not letting the little things get to me so much, and recognize when I need to step away from the situation, no matter how much I want it to be done my way.
Yep, that's right today is THE day. I am officially 26, and starting that gumption thing I mentioned earlier. LOL It's not as easy as it sounds, but I'm determined to try and take it day by day. So, wish me luck, blow out a candle for me, and have a wonderful day, on me!!
