So Tired!

I am so tired.  I just don't sleep well when John is gone.  I need to just head in and lay my head down and I could probably drift off.  I would watch TV until I fell asleep but Macey is occupying John's side of the bed tonight and I don't want to wake her.

I thought tonight would be a great night to do some of that long procrastinated blogging (especially since my YW presidency meeting was cancelled) but I seem to be avoiding it.   I think because there are so many things I have/want to catch up on and blog about.

I was outside ALL day today assisting in a PE class.  Not in the direct sun but direct sun or not it is still HOT in Florida.  It went well but boy was I worn out - hot, tired, feet ache, legs ache and head aches.  I was pretty much on my feet all day.  I helped with breakfast duty this morning then off to PE for 3 classes, in for lunch, back out for 3 more PE classes and then on my way home around 3:30pm.

What was the 1st thing I did?  Drove through the McD Drive-In for a large, cold Diet Coke!

 

I stopped by to invite Macey's friend, Janiel over and found Nicole free to come with the younger girls too.  I so enjoy the chance to just hang out with her.  We spent 2 hours poolside this afternoon.  The girls practiced being elephants with swim noodles.  It was a riot.  It was relaxing for me and I hope for Nicole.  Gave me a chance to unwind and have fun company. 

Then off we went our separate ways to do dinner, baths and bedtimes at our own homes.  Parker & Macey had Chicken Tenders and fries.  I splurged on an order of Crab Rangoons from China Gourmet.  The kids and I fast forwarded through last night's American Idol performances and tonight's winners and loser. 

Off To Work I Go! Hiho! Hiho!

One of the things on my most recent personal bucket list was to 're-enter' the official work force on a part-time basis just to prove something to myself.

I finished all the requirements to qualify as a Non-Instructional Guest Position for Collier County Schools.  The last requirement was to shadow a teacher for a day.  I got to do that for Mrs. Brat at Seagate Elementary in Naples, FL.

I officially worked for the first time for 2 hours as an ESE Sub at Oak Ridge Middle School.

My 1st official full day paid position will be tomorrow as an ISS Assistant - assisting w/PE all day at Mike Davis Elementary in Naples, FL.  Wish me luck.  John has pumped me up with encouraging words but is out of town for my big event.  So I'm on my own.  The kids lunches are made and ready for the lunchboxes, their phone is charged, alarm is set and I'm off to bed (1) minute before midnight.  I'll be up at 6am.  My workday starts tomorrow at 7:30am! 

I was going to spend time catching up on other blogging tonight (birthdays, spring break activities, etc) but that will have to wait for another day.

Updated Family Photos

I've been reluctant to change our family photo on our blog or on my Facebook page until Austin returns home from his mission and we have a truly updated family photo with all of us in it.

However, I was determined to get a photo of Riley before he headed out the door to college once again.  We didn't ever really have Senior year photos taken, nor did we have a nice pre-mission photo done either.  Our kids grow and change whether we want them to or not.  I want to remember the kids at all phases of life and photos are the one way to do just that.

So, thank you, Mickisha Glen for coming on Dec. 31, 2011 late in the afternoon and taking a few casual photos of the kids and the rest of us to document this moment in time.

Riley

Parker

Macey

The kids and me.

Silly kids having a good time.  Love the laughter.

TOFW = Time Out For Women

I got to have a great weekend with some great women.  I have only been to one other TOFW event probably 9 years ago.  I was so glad to go again.

The theme for this year's event was - Seek the Good!  What a great thought to consider and apply in one's life.  The speakers and the music used this to base their remarks around.  It was very uplifting and inspiring.  It is good to feed one's soul!  There's so much I could share about the talks given and what I felt.  I think I will save it for a future post.

We got to start the weekend at the Orlando temple.  The traffic was outrageous - add to that construction zones and an accident.  It took us an hour longer to arrive.  We didn't get to do all we had planned at the temple but still was grateful for the short time we spent there.

 

 We had dinner that night at TGIF's.  I had the Parmesan Crusted Chicken - A sautéed chicken breast basted with Caesar Vinaigrette dressing, then finished with a Parmesan crust topping. Served with three-cheese tortelloni tossed in spinach Alfredo sauce and a side of our fresh tomato mozzarella salad. Wouldn't be complete without a little Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie - Chocolate ganache layered with peanut butter mousse in a peanut butter graham cracker crust. Topped with whipped cream and a peanut butter cup. 

 

 Great food.  Great women.  Great friends.

 Here's Dana Shaw trying to figure out how to upload our photo to the TOFW on Facebook.

 

 Here's Marji Winder trying to do the same.

 Here they both are trying to help each other. 

Me, Nicole Prime, Dana Shaw, Marji Winder

 I was taking these few pictures and then a lady behind us in the line for lunch offered to take our picture with us all together.  Thank you Nicole for lending me your black flip flops to wear since I forgot to pack mine.

Mickisha Glen

On our way home.

Another Thought!

Can you believe it?!  I am actually having another thought and THIS time I am actually posting it!  I had to laugh at Nicole's comment "I'm glad you had a thought today!" regarding my last non-existent post.

I have been a little busy - STUDYING - actually (20+ hours this week alone).  I set a goal to get all my ducks in a row to be 'qualified' and accepted to be a Non-Instructional Substitute in the school district here.  I don't have an Assoc. Degree or 60 credit hours so extra testing required.  I finished my online testing (last of 8) late last night.  Prior to that I had to take a Para Professional test at the District offices.

Today, Tues. 3/6/12 was 1/2 day of school for kids.  I had a limited amount of time this morning but got my friend, Nicole Prime to tag along on some errands for fun.  My errands you ask?

1.  Pickup Johns suits from JOS Banks - funny that I got off on the right exit and headed over but then turned N instead of S and was almost to 2nd errand before even getting the 1st one checked off my list.  Oh well - I adjust well.  Errand #1 will turn into Errand #3.

2.  Drop of Scout re-chartering paperwork at the Scout office and request printout of my own son's progress.  I have no idea where he really stands.  They don't work on merit badges at scouts (someone explain that one to me) so I'm afraid he's horribly behind but don't even know.  I was pretty on the ball with the older boys.   Maybe because they started out with a really great Scout Master (Travis Mitchell) that got them off and running from the get go and maybe because my husband was Scout Master towards the end of their scouting experience and I was his go-to-GAL for badges and record upkeep.

3.  HOBBY LOBBY!  Why else do you think I was eager to go to the Scout office to drop off paperwork?!  They are both in Ft. Myers.  I have to have a reason to go to Ft. Myers and justify the trip to Hobby Lobby!  We only had time to run in and get the fabric we had in mind and head back out.  I want to make Macey a couple of under-skirt ruffle slips to make her dresses longer and Nicole is making some adorable bibs for baby gifts -Shhhh - don't tell.  Nicole's youngest daughter had preschool so we rushed back to get her there almost on time.  Another time we will do our browsing and really enjoy.

4.  Dropped her off at home with an extra child, my daughter, and returned back to my 1st errand of picking up John's suits. 

Parker had a friend, Max over after school.  You know all they want to do is play video games.  However, when I got home I made them take a break and treated them to a cold drink of their choice @Walgreen's (exciting, I know) and found kites & gliders.  Perfect for our blustery & windy day in Florida.  A little fresh air and outside time didn't hurt anyone - not even them.

I even treated myself to a little outside time and enjoyed feeling the wind in my hair.  The boys decided to get out the skateboard, wood board, broom stick and take each other for a ride.

Macey and Janiel came back to our house.  It is never hard to get them to be outside.  They are masters at tree climbing.  We have the perfect tree in our front yard and they spend HOURS up in it!  Literally!

Thought for the Day!

Time!

 It's time for a new year.  It's time for new goals to be set, new things to achieve, new decisions to be made, new challenges to tackle, new joys to be had, and so much more.

 It's a time for fun family reunions - Riley's home and Austin will be sooner than we know. 

 It's time to blog more!  It's the only journal of events I have in the works and it has suffered.  I need to give myself permission to do it. 

It's time for great strides, great moments, great good!  What a great year awaits.