Change is in the air

I have not had too many new happenings going on in my life lately but have been a little crazy due to my pregnancy. Sometimes, I have the weirdest dreams and wake up convinced they are not dreams but reality...must be the hormones. Summer break has officially began for our family with the girls and Jake all out for the summer. However, Jake recently found out of some changes occurring at the school and has to re-apply for his position but is also applying other places too, so that adds a little more to weigh on our minds this summer; since having a baby is not enough. The girls both did wonderful on their report cards. Ginny made straight A's again and Aubree got meets expectations or exceeds expectations in all areas. I believe the girls get their smarts from me but I am sure their daddy thinks it comes from him. Will attended his first little swim party this weekend and was uncertain about the water at first.I am excited for this summer and in a matter of a couple weeks, we will have a new addition to our family. Also, I was released from my calling in Relief Society today. I was hoping for a little break but was called to teach gospel essentials. Some people were surprised that I was not called to something else but I will enjoy the less stress that could happen and not having early morning meetings. Plus generally, I enjoy teaching. We will figure out the whole thing with a new baby. I am sure Jake will take him when he can.

Ginny's wishes at school

Yesterday, Ginny brought home some of her clue work and I want to ensure that I remember them. The first one she had to write things about herself and this is what she had to say: " My name is Ginny, I have blonde hair and blue eyes. I am loving and gentle. I like my name. I like to roller blade and watch t.v. My best friend says I am easy to make friends with. In the future, I want to be a veterinarian." The second paper was labeled was "When you wish upon a star..." and she has to make wishes for her friends and family. Here are her responses verbatim: 1. I wish I could meet Taylor Swift and sing with her and learn how to play the guitar. 2. I wish my mom could find the new house she wants to have. 3. I wish my dog, Suzie, can never get lost or hurt. 4. I wish my sister Aubree can get the Nintendo DS like she wants. and 5. I wish my aunt Sandra, best friend could get married. How cute are those and how considerate she is of other people.

Happy Mothers Day

Today, as we celebrate our mothers, I was driving back from Dallas and had a lot of time to think about not only my mom, but the influential women in my life. The thought occurred to me as I glanced back at my two beautiful daughters, possibly future mothers in Zion and how grateful I am to be their mom and that they are surrounded by remarkable women who not only love them but are great examples. My mom comes to mind first, and I owe much of who I have become to my mother. She is a great women and willing to help those in need. She is a mother hen for sure and very protective over her children. Next, my mother in law comes to mind. She, Lynn Farrell, raised a wonderful father for my children and like my own mother shows unconditional love for out children and both are wonderful grandparents. My sisters come to mind next. They are not biological mothers yet but are each in essence a mother to my children. My little ones love them and they are always more than willing to help with them and even give me "mothering advise". Following my own sisters, my sister in laws (all of them) come to mind and how they have each taught me something about motherhood and blessed the lives of my children as well. So today, I celebrate the wonderful women in my life who help complete my life. Oh, did I mention the good friends that I have that are examples in my life as well. I believe we can look around and find reasons without searching hard to love and appreciate the individual women who touch our lives.

Girls weekend in Dallas

Callie and Aubree

Friday, after school, the girls and I loaded up and headed to Dallas to meet up with their cousins and Grammy...they had a fabulous time. Jake was on a field trip to St. Louis with his school and I am blessed that my family is so willing to help with Will. It makes me so happy to see them enjoy family and for that reason it is always worth the drive. Not too mention, I missed work for the first time without approval. I did tell my manager for weeks that I would not be there but he was unable to grant me the night off because of high freight due to Mothers Day. However, it was worth it to see the girls make memories with families. It was the cutest thing. The girls were invited to Dallas to spend the weekend with their girl cousins and stay at the American girl hotel, well it is actually the Westin but they do an American Girl package. Upon arrival and checking in the room, they were delighted to discover milk and cupcakes in the room. Not to mention, each of their dolls had their own bed too and both had a card welcoming them by name to the hotel. They really thought they were something. Ginny was quick to point out that this was not in our price range. I love that both are girls are pretty logical kids and am glad they are having this time with their Grammy and cousins. To make it even cuter, all the girls having matching outfits for the whole weekend.Saturday morning, we hit the American Girl store and the girls were each able to pick out a couple doll outfits with matching outfits for them as well. After shopping at the shop. the dolls were dropped off at the salon to get their hair done, ears pierced, and cleaned a little but we be picked up by dinner. We headed to lunch. The mall attached to the hotel had a lovely ice skating rink and the girls were dying to try. Of course, Grammy let them, with the permission of the mothers and it was way cute.After skating, we shopped or relaxed a bit and headed to dinner reservations at the American Girl bistro and to pick up the dolls. The food was excellent and it was a fun time for all. The dolls even had little high chairs...cracked me up.The evening was spent listening to little girls chatter about the day and giggle like little girls do. Everyone got along great. Ginny so much enjoyed hanging out with Natalie and Chyna and Aubree loved being with Callie and Emily. How blessed are we to belong to families that make efforts to be around each other and let the cousins build memories and foster friendships. Thank you Grammy!!!

Happy 9 years Baby!!!

I am a little late to post this but this past week, as crazy as it has been, Jake and I hit our 9 year anniversary. Luckily for us, we do not feel the need to celebrate extravagantly. That is a good thing because we hardly saw each other that day. Jake had work and by the time, he was home. I had a CE class and we saw each other briefly in passing before scouts and activity days. Sandra was able to come up that day unexpectedly because schools in Jackson and surrounding areas were out most the week, if not all the week, due to the flooding from last weeks storms. We are blessed that we nor my loved ones do not have damage. The week has been crazy busy but I suppose that is life, so I have no complaints on it.

Aubree's share at school

At school this week, Aubree shared during share time. She is very excited for the baby and enjoys feeling him move. She shared her excitement with her class about feeling him move, my belly growing, and wanting to be there when the baby is born. Aubree explained that she will be in there when the baby is born and went over to ask the teacher if she could say "vagina", the teacher said that may not be such a great idea, so Aubree proceeded. She explained there would be lots of blood and they would have to cut her mommy "down here" and started pointing to her vagina....that's right, and explained that it would be bloody and the baby would be bloody and her mom would scream. The teacher got a real kick out of this and one of the students wanted to know why I would not be given medicine when I scream. Mrs. Hulgan had to explain a bit about childbirth for the first time as a kindergarten teacher. How does Aubree know these things? She is determined to help me have the baby and be in there, so I have been trying to discourage that, I do not want my child scarred, and in the process have tried to make it sound yucky to her. She is still determined.

So, recently Jake was offered another employment position at a charter for school. He has been asked to come as the the director or curriculum and instruction or the dean of students. At first, he was ready to go but we are know trying to decide if it is best for our family. The pay is a little more but the hours are longer each day and he will not get the same breaks that we enjoy now. Also, it could eventually open more doors possibly to other opportunities. Over the next three years, he could hold the students more accountable and feels he could have a greater impact on the students. If you weigh out the added hours and days of work, the hourly wage is actually less than he makes now but both are salaried positions. However, if he stays with Memphis City Schools, he has tenure and if he tutors or takes a couple more classes, the pay is equal or a tad more than the charter school and he is still off when the girl are off and the days are shorter. Also, a large portion of his student loans would be forgiven next year and he has a little more flexibility to get off for a couple hours to attend the girls things. We enjoy summers together and like the idea of being able to visit family or go places in the summer.
I have been praying that the Lord will direct Jake to make the best decision for our family but Jake asked me last night to pray that I may know too. Ultimately, I think either can be a good choice and will support him in the decision made but I, too am asking the Lord for guidance. With that said, I believe most of the answers to my prayers come through other people, so that is why I am sharing. Here are a few of my current thoughts, the charter school would give a profound impact on the students but our children would lose some of that time and influence...however, our children have a strong, good family life and most of the students do not. Are we not suppose to serve and help others but at the same time, family is top priority. I think the decision comes down primarily to the time involved and possible career path, Jake may want to pursue. He loves teaching and does not desire to be in corporate America nor administration at this point, but who knows what tomorrow holds. He wanted to teach for the impact on his students and to be a positive role model. He has succeeded and is a wonderful teacher, his stats and test scores show that but at the same time, I do not want him to pass an opportunity...see how I am torn? If we look at our treasures in life, it is not monetary things but our families and relationships with others, so that is why the pay is not too much of a factor and besides that it is about the same. I suppose this is a blessed dilemma because we are blessed that Jake has employment and our family is taken care of. And it is not very heard of that a person can assume an administrative position after only four years of teaching.....