Family Fun

Well, I've been off track for about a week now. Wednesday was our first real day off together as a family though. Not wanting to put the kids in daycare, Tim and I purposedly have our work scheduled so that only family is watching the kids. However, when I'm off track, Tim's still having to work - usually in the afternoon/evenings and all day Saturday - which is the pits. BUT, on Wednesday we had a lot of fun getting ready for Halloween. Here are some pictures from our fun evening of trying on costumes and carving pumpkins.

Happy Birthday Chrissy

So, yesterday was my Baby Sister's birthday. Boy! Does time sure fly the older you get! Here are some pictures from last night. We went to eat at Applebee's (Tim had to work - boo... ). We all had a great time getting together. It doesn't happen that often anymore. Natty definitely love icing, and did warm up to Uncle Joe in the end. He just needs to visit more. Dad and Chrissy got their ribs - of course. And I enjoyed a very yummy trio of quesadilla towers, spicy shrimp, and artichoke/spinach dip. Yummo! Nathan was a very good boy - slept through pretty much the entire dinner. Even when he did wake up towards the end, he didn't even fuss. It was a great evening!

HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY CHRISSY!

SUV vs. Minivan

Well, I've been a mommy of two for a little over 3 months now.  One thing I have discovered for sure is that we need a bigger vehicle.  Whenever we go somewhere now, especially with all the kids' stuff, I feel clostrophobic.  I've been researching different vehicles and would like YOUR opinion/input.  Below are the vehicles I'm interested in.  What do you find most useful/efficient for your family?  I'm trying to think years down the road too, as I know we will want at least one more child.  I'm also thinking of when we take the kids to amusement parks, go on vacation, beach trips, etc.  Which do you think is the most family-friendly vehicle?

Saturn Outlook

Mitsubishi Endeavor

Honda Odyssy

Toyota Sequoia

Toyota Highlander

What do you guys think?  Any others to take into consideration?  Ideally, I'd like a 3-row seater.  Minivans just haven't warmed up on me yet.  Got any to recommend?

I Love My Kids!

Empty Bowls

This past Saturday my mom, Natty, Nathan, and I all went to the 3rd Annual Settlement House Empty Bowl Event. Local restaurants donated food (soup), bread, drinks, and desserts for the event. We all had a great time. NOt only was it for a great cause, but we each (except Nathan :( ) got to take home a bowl decorated by our fellow CNUSD students. Check out the two Natty and I picked out. I cannot believe Upper Elementary/Junior High students did this!

All in a Day's Work

Scene of the Crime...

The Damage...

Right Knee

These two are of my beautiful (purple and blue) left thigh.

RECAP...

Ok, so Thurday (last week) I had detention duty.  Off I go walking up to the detention room.  Now, detention is held in a classroom off of a stage.  I see the stage in front of me.  I lift my leg up to step onto the stage to unlock the door.  I guess, apparently, I stepped on air.  The next think I knew, my right hand was in front of me breaking my fall (my left was clenching onto the detention slips).  Good thing I didn't hit my head!  This whole ordeal happened so fast that I didn't even feel the pain.  Then, as I was checking the students in and marking off the attendance, my leg starts twitching from the pain.  GREAT.  I get home to the lovely sight you all see above.  :)  I do have detention duty againt tomorrow.  Pray I don't fall on my head this time!

The Kiddos

Nathan's personality is really starting to show this month. We're so excited he is growing so fast! (Oh, and the romper he is in...well, is a 9mts. size.

Nathan has discovered his hands and LOVES to look at them, gum them, and wave them around.

According to Natty, this is THE only way to watch Curious George.

Nathan's very beautiful smile

Lately when Nattaya is put down for her nap, she will say "rock." We'll later discover that she has rocked herself to sleep with one of her many favorite books.

The Weekend is Here!

Hi everyone. Well, it's been a stressful week to say the least. I, for one, am so very thankful for the weekend!!!

Earlier this week, we had one of our fellow staff member's life threatened by one of our 8th graders. Thinking back, it still sends chills down my spine. There are a note entailing who, when, and where. Our entire staff was debriefed by the deputy-sherrif and another important individual (I can't remmeber the rank) from Corona PD. I think we are all pretty much still shaked, and a bit on edge still. Don't make for a very happy staff.

I'm asking that you continue to pray for our campus. A lot of teachers are feeling unsafe, and it makes teaching hard. We don't want to treat each student like a suspect. Also, please pray for that student and their family. They are all going to be going through a very rough time for a long while. It is hard to believe that as an 8th grader, this student will already have a juvenile record. That is just so hard for me to process.

Monday's Here

Well, I've been back to work from maternity leave for about 3 weeks now. For the most part, I think I've started to fall into a rhythm of how the week goes. I'm happy to be back, but at the same time, I'd rather much stay home with the kids. Especially if you have Mondays like mine. Sometimes I just get so discouraged that most of my students really do not care about their future, education, or career. I just feel bad because at times I feel like the students' behaviors reflect who I am as a teacher. I sometimes wish I could just "fix" everyone - their homelife, their disability, their outlook, etc. I know it's not my job to fix people, but I can't help it sometimes.

I've haven't blogged in about 2+ weeks. Needless to say, the kids keep me very busy - in a VERY good way. I would not change it for anything. The kids are really doing great. Natty's language continues to develop at a very fast pace. She says quite a few 2-word sentences now. It is awesome to see how she processes information. Nathan continues to grow by leaps and bounds. He is in 6 months clothing, and he is 2 1/2 months old. Our Pediatrician says he is very solid and very healthy - definitely going to take after Daddy.

Well, Tim and I would sure appreciate you guys keeping us in prayer. We have just been hit with quite a few trials. It's all been quite discouraging, but we rest in the truth that they are momentary, they will strengthen our faith, and that God knows what He's doing. While we're not glad with all the trials, we gladly accept what the Lord would have us learn.

Happy Monday Everyone!