Catching Up!

Whew! I have gotten so FAR behind on my blog that I just keep putting it off! It is VERY time consuming to upload, edit, and post pictures, so I always tell myself, "Oh, I'll do it tomorrow!" And, tomorrow turns into the next day, etc....
You Mom's know how that goes, right???

This is Kaden sitting with his Dad, watching him eat a hot dog! Poor baby wanted it SO bad!!!






It won't be long Dad!!! Doesn't Kaden look so grown up in this outfit? TARGET!!!



First of all, I need your HELP! I despirately want to post some video clips of my little pumpkin on here but CAN NOT figure out how to download the video coverage to my computer from my camera. Can ANYONE help me???

Second, SCHOOL IS OUT!!! I am on summer vacation with my baby boy, and I couldn't be HAPPIER about that. I am still W-A-I-T-I-N-G to hear about my position in the fall with my current job. I did apply for a couple other positions I have found out about that would be closer for me. All I know is, I REFUSE to worry about it or with it anymore! What will be, will be... (I'm learning this SLOWLY in my life, to trust God will take care of me.)

Third, Kaden has kept me super duper BUSY the last week and a half. He started in with a NEW thing. At first, it was kind of cute, him learning to SHRILL scream. But, it quickly turned into that scream everytime he is mad or needs/wants anything, which is not so funny after a while. It all pretty well started when I began trying to spoon feed him rice cereal. He would/will eat PERFECTLY for about 5 or 6 bites, then he starts histerically shrilling, crying, throughing a fit. And, it lasts a while! So, the doctor suggests that maybe he just isn't ready for spoon feeding yet and that is perfectly okay for now.

Kaden LOVES to put ALL his toys in his mouth and GUM them...





He had been SUCH a GOOD sleeper, and the day I bragged on here about this was the end of that, until last night when he slept 12 hours. He has been reverting back to 4-6 hours at night and more frequent naps. But, the last couples days he has gotten better, about 8 hours at night. So, I guess it was just a spell.

He is getting to BIG for his BUMBO chair. That's right, those thunder thighs of his are getting stuck in there. So, if you want to borrow one instead of buying one, Crystal, you can use ours when you get ready for one!



Ok, here are some much overdue pictures of my cutie!!! This is tummy time, which turns into sucking and eating on my hands time!























And, he still doesn't like tummy time.

Finally, I'm sure you are all wondering how THE SHRED workout is going. Well, I had a small set back. I worked out EVERY DAY on level 1 for 9 days, then I somehow injured my knee and have hobbled around for four days now suffering and hurting. I went to the chiropractor yesterdaya nd got my knee adjusted which made me cry, but it does feel better today, but not jumping jacks and jump rope better. So today I started back by modifying my cardio a little for my knee, but I did start back today. I missed FOUR days and feel like CRAP that I had to miss after being so sore, and now I'm afraid I'll be sore again. Tomorrow, I plan to be back FULL force on the workout and I'm moving to level 2 tomorrow. One is starting to get BORING for me. I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

One year ago today...

It has been exactly one year ago today that I went to the doctor for a spider bite and left the doctors office with a JOY in my heart that I shall never forget. You see, I KNEW in my heart that I HAD to be pregnant, because I FELT pregnant with all the symptoms. We were trying! But, the OVER ten home pregnancy test I had taken so far had all said negative! I guess it had just been too early! I remember mentioning it to the nurse, and she suggested we do a blood test. The problem was I went to a tiny clinic in a small town on a Friday afternoon, they said it would be Monday before they got the result back! Uuugghhh! Impatient me asked her if I could do a urine test as well, just for the heck of it. I remember going and doing the urine sample and handing it to the nurse. She handed me my chart and had me go check out at the front of the clinic while she ran the test for me. I remember being VERY discouraged, to the point I KNEW I was going to CRY when I got in my car. After I wrote out my check, I stuck my head back around the corner to look at the nurse. The nurse was shaking her head "no" at me, I said thank you and turned around quickly to head for the door. She came after me saying, "no silly, it's NOT negative! It's positive, and I've done two tests! Your pregnant, congratulations!" I literally jumped, hugged the nurses neck as fast and hard as I could, which I know she didn't expect, and screamed out! I can not imagine the glow and smile that instantly came over my body! This is the happiest moment I recall. I immediately got in my car and called Lance to confirm the good news to him. We were both so excited and happy, we couldn't WAIT to tell everyone! I immediately called my mom, Hilary, Sarah, and stopped by my dad and Cay's house to tell them. I knew I would be picking Catherine up at the airport the next day, so I didn't call her, and waited to tell her in person. My Papa Fisher passed away 9 days after I found out I was pregnant, but we had told him and he was happy! I just wish my sweet Kaden could have met his Papa.
I just wanted to share my FAVORITE memory here...
God truly does answer prayers, and HIS timeline for my life has been perfect, in HIS time, not mine. I am learning to rely on God and wait for HIS timing in my life. And, since the moment Kaden was born on February 2, 2009, I have continually thanked God for my precious gift. Every feeding I say, 'thank you God for this baby'. I know that God has great plans for Kaden's life here on Earth.

Finally, The LAST day of school tomorrow!

Woo-hoo! Can I hear another Woo-hoo please? If you are a teacher or you have taught before you know the INCREDIBLE feeling of making it to the last day of the school year. It has been a COMPLETELY different feeling for me each year that I have taught so far, but this year has to be the best, most looked forward to summer yet. It has been increadibly HARD to leave Kaden each day to go to work. I hate leaving him. So, I am THANKFUL summer time is here at last!
Tonight I decided to try to bowl and spoon feed Kaden some rice cereal. It's our second time ever to try this, and he LOVED it! We ended up having to mix more, because he wanted more when it was gone. He ate that stuff up so fast and so good, like he'd been eating from a spoon forever! Lance and I secretly wonder if grandmothers have been secretly spoon feeding him he ate so well! Ha!
So now he is passed out in front of his Baby's 1st TV show and swinging. He is SO observant, he looks around at EVERYTHING, and watches me and Lance like a hawk when we try to walk in or out of a room. He has really discovered a lot about himself this week, including the fact that he can scream just to scream, and make noises just to make noises. He loves to flash big smiles and laughs at us too. We are REALLY enjoying him more everyday.
Today was day 9 workout of the shred. It is NOT getting easier for me. I have been very faithful to this thing, I have even been riding my bike and power walking. I have also been eating very healthy. (Last night at my Granny's I had a fudge brownie after dinner, then felt guilty for it) And, today I have been experiencing horrible chocolate cravings, thanks to monthly hormones. But, I have NOT lost ANY weight yet. It REALLY upsets me. NOTHING. And, I have been working my butt off and sorer than I have EVER been in my life. The workout is getting easier for me, yes, I'm STILL doing level 1 and plan to for a while. But, my body is just killing me, it hurt SO bad tonight when I was working out. My knees, shins, and upper back???
Kaden & I are OFF to bed, I hope! More catching up on pictures after school is out! I have to go to work on Saturday in the morning, I am taking Kaden with me so everyone can see him. Should be fun...

Shred, Jobs, and Life

I just finished my 6th official day of the Shred. I am not as sore, and I am seeing results in my endurance and body for sure. I have done my workout first thing in the morning the last two days. That seems to be the best, then I shower and get ready for my day. It also reminds me to eat right! I had two hard boiled eggs for breakfast today and a large glass of ice water. (While my husband had orange danishes and Dr. Pepper, yuck!)

I have been praying for Lance & my careers a lot. Lance has interviewed for a new career that would get him OUT of the truck for good and home each and every night with us. I am very excited about the possibilities of this career and I pray that he gets offered the position. I will let you all know how it turns out as soon as we hear something. It is with a pesticide company in sales and service.

Also, I have not been told officially what I will be teaching next year, OR if I will be teaching next year at my district. Because I was in my first year with this district, I am of course, as always, on a probationary contract. Which translates to me as, "We can get rid of you with no explanation or reason." Which is pretty much what has happened for three straight years for me. I always take a position in a desperate situation (desperate on the school's part) and end up getting SCREWED at the end of the year because they only needed someone for one year...BLAH! BLAH! BLAH!

Well, this year, my principal said he couldn't recommend me again because I was "OUT" too much. Hello! Maternity LEAVE! I was off work from Dec. 2- April 6 on doctor authorized maternity leave. So, if you ask me it's pretty shitty on their part. And, what I was off work doing is far more important to me in my life than that job. Sorry.

We have some "CHANGES" going on at our school and my principal says he will let me know as soon as he knows....sounds nice, huh? (He says that will be by the second week of the summer.) Basically, they "THINK" someone is going to retire, even though they have resigned their contract for next year, then he would put me in that position. If that doesn't happen he says I can RE-APPLY for my current position, which I have been told the lady who long-term subbed for me wants, which is also PRETTY SHITTY. Excuse my language here, but it all pisses me off ROYALLY!!! I'm not quite sure WHY I am always left in these situations at the end of each year. I mean, I did a good job, yes, I was out on maternity leave, but GEEZ! And, my formal evaluation was good for the year.

I have also applied for another positions as a back up plan because I have NO IDEA what is happening at my current school. My position that they LET me go from last year is RE-OPEN here locally, and I have re-applied, probably like an idiot, but at least it is close to home and not a 30 minute commute each way.

I have packed my classroom up and moved it all back to my storage unit for now. Please PRAY that I have some sort of a job to go to in the fall! If not, we will be living like REAL poor people while I stay home with Kaden. Which wouldn't be bad, except the poor people part. I would LOVE to stay home with Kaden, and if that is the way God presents this, we will just do the best we can.

I have been so good not to BLOG about all of this, but it just gets under my skin and this is my blog. This is the CRAP that happens in my life. Life isn't always great, even when we believe and love God. We still have struggles and hard times just like everyone else. But, I am faithful that my God will carve a path for us, he always does.

Memorial Monday

I am remembering a soldier today who so lovingly gave his life for our country. William Douglas "Doug" Richardson, born August 9, 1975 and died November 30, 2005 in Iraq. Doug was among many things a great Marine. He was married to one of my BFF, Catherine, who is also a Marine. Doug is missed so much, and we will never understand here on this earth his leaving. I thank you Doug and Catherine for your many sacrifices for our country. If you would like to read more about Doug's life you can go to his memorial web-site by clicking HERE.

Yes, I have tons of pictures of Doug as a marine, but my favorites are him as Catherine's husband! Here they are on the BEST day of Catherine's life... I am so happy I got to share this day with them on May 23, 2003...

Sleeping through the night!

Around the time Kaden turned 3 months olds he started sleeping through the night. It went from 6 hours of sleep to eight hours of sleep. And now this weekend he has slept three nights in a row for 10 hours! And, I have had no problem sleeping that long right along beside him. After about 8 hours I wake in a panic checking on him because I can't believe he hasn't woken up. But, let me tell you, it is a WHOLE new quality of life for us to get 10 hours of sleep. Oh, sleep, how I have missed you!
I feel better than I have since having Kaden and feel like I'm FINALLY getting a hold on this Mommy thing. Ha!

The really great news is the last two nights Kaden has slept those 10 hours in his BED! His pack n play bassinet is scooted right next to my side of the bed so I can lay on my side and look at him and put a paci back in, ect. But, he has done wonderful! I've put him back on his wedge positioner the last two nights too! He has done GREAT! I am so excited!!! YEAH KADEN for sleeping throught the night!

Today is Day 5 of the Shred. The good news, I'm no longer having to walk like a little old lady this morning, but I'm hoping to not be as sore after today's workout. Yesterday I did extra crunches on the Ab Lounge for about 20 minutes. I know this is going to sound crazy and quick, but I honestly felt results yesterday. I felt, feel thinner and like my body is really starting to change. Very exciting! I am NOT taking the weekends off either, I am going straight through with the 30 day challenge.

Lance & I are having rice for breakfast this morning and baked salmon (ribeye steak for him) for lunch. I am REALLY working on my meals.

Shredding Along!

At least I hope we are shredding along! I have just showered after finishing my 4th day of Level 1 Shred workout. Whew! It is not getting any easier yet! I have been so unbelievably sore the last two days that it has been difficult to get through the whole workout, but I have managed. Today was definately the hardest for me so far though. I am walking around in little bitty old lady steps as my friend Sarah says. She is doing the 30 day shred with me! Right, Sarah? :)

I have been trying so hard to eat well with this program, it really makes you think about what you eat! And, it also makes me wish I hadn't eaten a lot of the things I have eaten lately. Tonight for dinner I just had baked salmon, sugar snap peas, and rice.

Baked Salmon in foil
In your foil packet place a fresh 6-8 oz. Salmon fillet. Pour 1 Tbl. spoon lemon juice over the top, sprinkle with salt and black pepper, and a dash or two of garlic powder, I also used a small amount of thyme. Then, 1 Tbl.spoon butter. Wrap up the foil and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. It is WONDERFUL! Juicy and flavorful!

I think I am about to fix a small pot of Decaf coffee. I think that would be the wiser choice over chocloate ice cream..ha! So, off I go to sip coffee to satisfy my chocolate craving!

In other news, we have a three day weekend! And, then next Friday is the last day of school! Yip-he!!! As of next Saturday I am a free woman for the summer! Just me and my baby boy all summer long, I can't wait!