The skivvy on marriage..

I found this on another blog (True Wife Confessions).. I lifted most of it, and rewrote some of it to suit me. Most of it tho..is things I want to say to Chris. So..here goes..

Being married is alot harder (even the second time) than I thought it would be but not for the reasons everyone else (myself included) thought.I knew going into this, it wasn’t going to be easy. I thought... "hey, I have been through divorce before, I know I can make it on my own.”

Thank you for being so great, that I NEED to make this marriage work. (besides..could you handle being a single parent to our daughter?? I didn’t think so ;)

I knew going into this, that marriage IS a lot of work. It is constant work, but I am
willing to keep working to make this marriage even better than it already is.

What I didn't realize was how much more special our time together is because our lives are even more busier now than when we walked down the aisle. Being able to cuddle up with you every night is amazing and I sleep so much better now.

What I didn't realize is how lucky we are to have been brought together and have our lives in enough order to be able to get married and continue our family.

We have been together for six years and we have made it through more rough times than I would like to admit but we have worked hard to make our relationship a success. You have been the greatest father a little boy could ever dream of having to my son..... he's yours now too, every way but legally, (hopefully that comes soon).

Even though you make me want to punch you in the throat for the stupid things you say and do at times, I can't imagine my life without you. I consider myself to be the luckiest woman alive. (By the way, I think you are the luckiest man alive!)

You understand me more than any person ever has and you put up with my sometimes bratty ways.

I understand that you are not very good with your words and shove both feet in your mouth at the most inopportune times.
But, despite everything that we have going against us, I think we have found the secret to a successful marriage.........as long as you get to watch t.v. and drink beer, and I get to scrapbook.. everything is hunky dory!
I love you!

whimp

There was a chubby snowman...
Friday night was Riles' Christmas program for Preschool. They were all so stinking cute! It made me want to run up and hug them all...then reality set in and I brought my 3.5 year old home. Santa made an appearance, and when I realized it was miss r on his lap...someone stepped in front of my camera! One of the finger plays Riley has been singing is "There was a chubby snowman...who had a carrot nose...along came a bunny, and what do you suppose...that hungry little bunny...looking for his lunch, ate that snowman's carrot nose...nibble, nibble, crunch."
It is cute the first 19,000 times nibble nibbe crunch is screamed in a minivan by 2 children who have decided all the want to do with each other is fight, and see who can scream nibble, nibble, crunch the loudest! lol...
I have been playing with my camera, and decided to take the free class offered by the company I bought it from..
In the mean time, here are some pics to keep you company...
Cheers,
whimp

I know this one is blurry..but just imagine how great it would have been!
This is from Halloween...creepy!

Holy Hell Batman!

Woke up at 1:00 a.m. with a stomach bug. Uggh...i really hate being sick. It puts a damper on my day. I really hate to use sick days to be actually sick..kwim? lol..
Not much going on at my house. I got my new camera..Canon Digital Rebel xti..I LOVE this camera. Wondeful goodness at my fingertips. I want to go to the Old Market while Dickens in the Market is going on, to try to get some photos of the people dressed up, and the carriage rides.
I finally got my Christmas Tree up. I don't have any presents wrapped at all, but they are all bought. I am not feeling in the holiday spirit this year at all. I don't know why either.
If I don't update before then, I hope everyone has a great holiday season.
whimp
p.s. here are some photos I took with my new camera..

I am officially in my 30's...again.
Yesterday was my birthday...well...yesterday as in 30 minutes ago. As I look back at my life, I have realized all I have accomplished, and a lot I still want to do.
There are many things in my life I still want to accomplish.
1. finish my Master's Degree..I will start classes in January.
2. Be more patient with my own kids...this is a catch 22 for me. All day long, I can be as patient and pleasant as can be with other people's children..but when I get home..holy hell...frakenwendy emerges. I am not proud of this..it is something I want to work on.
3. Be a better wife, mother, lover, sister, friend. I want to be there more for my family and friends. I will work on this, too.
4. I want to let things people say roll off my back more..ya know..the things people like to pin on you.. something that 1) you had no control in, or 2) something that was totally not your business..sorry..I get caught up in my own life
5. Be more assertive. I used to be very outspoken..now I tend to bite my tongue in order to keep the peace..well..I am not willing to do that anymore.
6. Be a better, more effective teacher. There are certain aspects in my teaching I would like to refine.
7. Be more optimistic. I tend to be pessimistic, and I need to generate hope in my students. I work in an inner city school..these children deserve optimism.
8. Be more creative. I tend to get stuck in ruts, and I want to make sure my children have family traditions documented to pass down to future generations.
9. Be more open to change. I am a creature of habit..certain things have to be a certain way..i am willing to change some habits.
10. Just be..enjoy being just me..plain ole wendy.
Wendy

Hello y'all!
I thought I would check in with everyone since I have not been a very good blogger. The new job is still very challenging. I have tried to implement some things I think will work, but I am finding some co-workers resistant to change. I guess I am way to flexible in my teaching..who knows. I do know that I will NOT let this situation that I walked into and have had no HELP in creating tarnish my teaching career..so with that, if before christmas things have not gotten a bit better...(now I am not asking for giant leaps and golden rainbows here...I am talking baby steps..as little as they stop and look at me when they hear my voice..or they can stand in line without kicking, shoving, biting, hitting, spitting, or yelling.) I will ask for another assignment within the Preschool programs. Who Knows what will happen..I do know I will NOT let 20 3, 4, and 5 year olds run my classroom any longer! lol
till next time..
whimp

P.S..i still DO NOT have my tree up, presents wrapped (at least they are bought), stockings taken care of, or gotten into the christmas spirit..now, for my birthday don't you wish you knew what Chris got me! lol

OMG!!

I started my new job today in a larger (very large considering the town I grew up in) city's school district. I am a preschool teacher for the Head Start program, and I am team teaching with another teacher. Now..this teacher and I are fairly good friends. We went to college together, and live just several miles from each other. It was she, who told me about the open positions. Neither one of us have an early childhood degree...scary huh? OMflippingG! There is NO classroom control in this room!! I walked in to kids climbing on center shelves, running around the room screaming at the top of their lungs. OMFG! I don't know if i can do this...I don't know if I am strong enough for this. God help me...I have to...because I am the teacher, I AM the teacher..
wendy

Guess What???!!??

I am so freaking excited! I had my second interview with Omaha Public School District today for a preschool position....I GOT IT! I start on Wednesday. WAHOOO!!! I have my own classroom. Plus, Chris got me a cricut for xmas, and I already have it! Well...technically I picked it up..but the money was his!

Now..on another note. My sisters and I might be interested in going on a girls weekend away..probably in the spring. Where should we go? Chicago? Vegas? Washington D.C.? Hmm..give me some ideas people..sisters too! Where do we want to go??
whimp

Guess What??

I have an interview on Monday at 2:00 for a preschool postition through OPS. The pay is considerably higher than what FM pays their first year teachers. Wish me luck!
I am still substituting at FM. What was supposed to be a four week assignment has turned into 8-12 weeks. The teacher is trying to come back half days after Thanksgiving. Hopefully, I am a preschool teacher by then.
I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.

10 things I am thankful for:

10. My new mp3 player, which is what I am listening to right now.
9. My digital camera..even if it isn't the Canon Digital Rebel.
8. Scrapbooking..
7. Being able to enrich the minds of future generations..haha..imagine..me...enriching minds! (Just think...this generation will be taking care of you in the nursing home!)
6. My family... I am the youngest of 8 children. For the most part, my family is close. I know if at anytime I need them, all I have to do is pick up the phone. ANY of them will be there if necessary. There great like that. Thanks all..I love you!
5. My parents..my mom just turned 69. Sometimes she drives me completely insane..and she doesn't fit the "maternal mother mold." But, she is my mom. My parents did the best they could. Could their best have been better? Probably, but I know I don't always do my best with my kids..They did the best they could. My dad passed away in June of 2003. I miss you old man.
4. Pat and Blackie...my wonderful mother and father in law. These people are truly amazing. Truly. Pat is a tiny, petite woman who has a heart bigger than Texas. We always receive cards for any occasion, she babysits Miss Riles on Tues. and Thurs. after preschool, and she makes everything seem ok. Blackie (or Papa Ed as Riles calls him) is a big, burly man who likes to make people think he is rough and gruff..yeah..i see him with a pint sized three year old. This child makes him melt..it is very interesting and touching to watch. I love you guys too!
3. My freedom..I am truly blessed to live in this country. I have the right to choices, freedoms, and to call Chris my favorite name for him (yeah..you know what it is) without getting beaten. Haha..!! Honestly, I am proud of our country. I am honored and humbled by the men and women who defend this country everyday, and all they ask in return is to love our flag. Thanks to my dad, husband, brothers, brother in law, and father in law for their service to our country. Ronald, Chris, Mike, Ron, Jason, and Blackie (Ed) you are the reason my son is a "Future American Soldier." What better role models could he have? How awesome is it to have 6 real life heros around for your whole life? He is a very lucky boy, and I am a very lucky woman to have (or had) such wonderful men in my life. Thank you all..from the bottom of my heart.
2. Danny and Riley. They both have to share this line..because heaven forbid if one is higher on my list..not that I am listing things in the order I am most thankful for..but ya know..kids..this is why I am thankful for them.
Danny. Danny, Danny, Danny. Danny is my first born. The one who initiated me into motherhood. Danny is the one who lights up my world. Danny is the one, who says.."Hey mom..guess what? You've been a mom for almost a whole decade." Nice..Really tho..he is an amazing child..full of laughter, questions, and silly antics. He is truly a good person. His heart is good, his attitude..well..could be better..but hey, he's 9.
Riles..oh my precious riles..if we make it to age four..i deserve a medal. Riley is a mini-me. Attitude, impatient, and all! She has this smirk (she gets it from Chris), that always makes me laugh. When she is surprised..her eyebrows go up, and her eyes light up. She is the one who loves to help me. She likes to help me cook, do laundry, clean (when that actually happens anyway) and read. She loves to sit on my lap while I am reading a book (my own) and "read"one of mine too. I am so thankful I raised 2 children with a love of reading. I love them both tremendously.
1. Chris. I kissed alot of frogs to find my prince. His crown may be tarnished and lopsided, but Chris is a good man. He is a wonderful husband and father. He is giving, trusting, and has a wonderful (warped) since of humor. I fell in love with him as I watched him put together a wagon with a three (almost four) year old at his feet, asking him thousands of questions, and never getting impatient with him. (Course we all know he just wanted to get into my pants..but hey..he's still here. After almost 6 years..he's still here.) He is the one constant of my life. He lets me scrapbook until midnight..calling to make sure I am ok..He came to another town Thurs. night to change my tire (while I was at a CTMH party) and told me to watch for deer. He is dependable. He is a hard worker. He provides for his family, and doesn't complain. He lets me buy scrapbook stuff. He looks (really looks) at my scrapbook pages and is genuinely interested in them. Oh..yeah..one more thing..he's adorable when he's.........smiling!
These are the things I am thankful for..what are you thankful for?

Finally...new pictures of my kiddos..

Yesterday we went to Portrait Innovations and had the kids' pictures taken. Wow..great pictures, but they really need to adjust their schedule times better.
We got there at 10:30 (our appointment was at 10:40) and didn't get our pictures taken until 11:30. Then, we had to wait to choose our pictures (that took an hour) and then we had to wait an hour for them to be printed..needless to say, it was crazy. BUT..I got some wonderful pictures..and a free disk of ALL the photos taken during the shoot. hmm...

here are my favorites:

The Halloween Party...part 1

Our Halloween party was a great success..the kids had a marvelous time! Altogether we had (I think) 85 children show up. Great turnout when you send out 125 invitations.
I have some pics..some are dark..i did lighten a few. The pics I am posting tonight are of my sister Deanne (or Mesmeralda) and the room we had decorated for her. She was a gypsy fortune teller and was THE HIT of the party.
Great job to all my sisters for throwing a WONDERFUL party..can't wait for next year now!

I will post more pics tomorrow.
whimp

It's here, it's here!

Wahoo...I am excited! I finally broke down and purchased another alphabet for my die cutting machine for scrapbooking. Now..if you are a scrapper you know these little suckers are expensive, but I got this one for $50.00! Sizzix.com is having a pretty good sale (use coupon code ws6255). Now..do I need another one? Lol.



whimp

New Layouts

I have had these layouts finished for awhile..figured I better get them posted. I am a bad mom. I never have enough photos of Danny to scrap more than one layout a weekend. The kid hates to pose for pics..unless I bribe him. I am going broke. lol
Riles on the other hand is a ham. Future scrapbooker in the making. (She calls it scrapbookie)

Someone I know is going to be VERY surprised!

No..said person is not getting this until Christmas..but I couldn't pass this opportunity up..and yes, he his spoiled rotten..but he is mine to spoil. After all that is why I work.
I found THIS used..but he won't care! I got the system and 3 games for $130.00.
Now said person is almost done for xmas. I just have to get a couple more things..and then I need to get stuff for Miss R.
Whimp

Guess What I Got??

I got a GREAT deal on a sizzlit font called Aphrodite. I actually got it for a way better price..can't wait for it to get here. This is one font that I reallllllllly wanted.
So much going on right now and I can't really talk about it here as I want to keep it as positive as possible.
wendy

Hmm...

Not much to say..not much to update on. I am having scrapbooking withdrawls. My sisters and I are having a Halloween party for our children next Saturday. I don't think I am ready yet..will I ever be? Probably not. We will invite 1 of every grade from 1st through 7th grade, and 2 fifth grades..wow. Between us all we have a child in every grade 7th through 1st grade (two in 5th grade..twins). what have we gotten ourselves into?
whimp

I have deeply wounded my son...

I don't know if I can fix it. He is heart broken by some words I said. He doesn't understand my anger. He probably never will. I made the situation worse..how can I fix it?
Danny was playing my computer tonight. He plays my computer most nights..but tonight was different. Instead of using the bookmark on my computer, I typed my blog address in the address bar. When I am creating new posts, he loves to look at the pictures I have posted. Usually he doesn't read anything..well..tonight, because I was to busy to monitor his internet activities (thank goodness he only went to my blog!) He read the comments I had written about his biological father. (I have since edited my post.) I didn't think anything about the whole dark whole thing. Danny did. His forgiving, loving, 9.5 year old heart doesn't understand why I could think such mean thoughts.
I have always tried not to talk negatively about troy in my son's presence. I want him to make up his own mind about such matters. Now..I fear I have jeopardized that with my carelessness.

I also have another request. I am truly grateful for the support I receive from my family and friends on the whole troy situation. However, these people are still Danny's family. I have to respect that. I owe my son that much..not them..my son. Danny has such a soft heart, and it is bruised easily, as I have found out tonight. Please help me in staying positive.
Thank you..
whimp

When did he turn into a boy??

Danny has turned into a full fledged boy. Not that he wasn't before..he just skipped the part where bugs were cool, loading up his pockets, thinking body noises were fun, etc..or so I thought.
The last 6 months, Danny has been loading his pockets with treasures from afar..i.e. bottle caps, spent bullets found in the field, used bb's, rocks, and broken bits of just about everything. He has also discovered arm pit farting, spitting contests, and ....squirrel hunting. He has a friend who loves to go hunting with his dad. They go hunting for squirrel. The problem with this?? Chris, nor I, either one hunt. So, this fall, Chris and Danny will take the Hunter's Safety Course to be able to get their hunting licenses, so they can hunt squirrel....together. How cool is that?? I hope they don't expect me to cook or eat it.

The Last Prowl...

Friday, Sept. 29, was the LAST homecoming Malvern will play as the Panthers. They will be merging next year with another small district. Team mascots will have to be decided upon, hopefully, it will be a cool one.
Many people who know me, know I am not fond of the Malvern School District. I had a very bad experience there growing up, and ended up Open Enrolling my sophomore year to Fremont-Mills. My children (outside of preschool) do not attend Malvern either.
However, Friday was a bit sad..sad to see the end of an era. Sad to know this was the LAST homecoming of their own. Sad to see a town who supports its mighty panthers, lined up at a homecoming parade knowing next year, we will be cheering for another team, playing a different school song.
It is sad..
Even though it was sad..miss riles, (and danny, who had stayed home because I thought he had strep throat) sure had a lot of fun. Riles discovered if she waved, people would throw candy to her. (She is the one in the front corner waving in the float picture.

Interview with a Princess....

Riley: "Look Mommy, I an a princess (princeth) now.."
Mom: "What are you going to do as a princess?"
Riley: "Hmm..."
Mom: waiting silently
Riley: "Build boats."
Mom: "What are you going to do with the boats?"
Riley: "Drive them in a parade."
Mom: "Who will drive them in a parade?"
Riley: "My Papa Ed, or Daddy can..not you tho..you drive to fast!"


Can you tell we are getting ready for homecoming this week? Two kids..two parades..two towns..15 minutes apart..thank goodness the parades are at 1:30 and 2:00..and thank GOD for grammas and papas.
love-n-luck
whimp

I am just in a funk...

I took a nap today and woke up in a horrible mood. I can't even begin to explain what is wrong. Maybe it is because this week is so crazy, maybe it is because I am disappointed and fed up in a person who used to be close to me. I don't know..I have done some really heavy thinking on my life this week. I have decided I am going to do what I want to do..not worry about pleasing everyone else. I am really tired of making decisions and plans, and having them questioned. I often wonder why people can't just be happy for others. This concerns me..why do we have to question what everyone is doing?? Why do we make it our business?? I have decided to cleanse my life of controversy. My past is my past..I am going to try to make it stay that way. (Even though..it tends to come up and bite me in the rear) I am no longer going to let it make me upset, or stress me out.
I am going to try to be a better parent, friend, and wife. I am going to try to be a better listener, a more patient person, and more romantic. I owe my family that.
love-n-luck
whimp

Guess what someone in our house is getting for Christmas?

I picked this up last night at Walmart. It can hold up to 250 songs. I can't wait until Christmas, to see the face of the unsuspecting party. Shhhh..don't tell!!

Now..we are looking for a neat little kids desk for miss riles. I would like a plastic little tikes type art desk for her. She loves to water paint, color, draw, and do crafts. She has plenty of room in her bedroom. Danny has one, but he WILL NOT part with it. (even though he is to big for it..his reasoning...it was the first christmas present Chris ever bought him)
SO..any suggestions would be appreciated. I want to keep the cost under 75.00.

***EDITED***

This is what I have found for desks for miss riles. I am hoping ToysRUs has them here. What do you think?

Thanks,
love-n-luck
wendy

Fall is in the air...well at least here in Iowa...

My sister, Michelle, and I went shopping Friday. Just the two of us..no kids. What did we do? Ended up shopping for stuff for the kids. lol..Anyway, we were at the mall, and discovered the tights first. We had originally picked out a pair of pink camo ones..but they were not to be found in miss riles' size. So we decided on these orange ones, then found the skirt, shoes, and sweater. I already had the orange shirt. Isn't she adorable??

Kynnedi's Story

Kynnedi’s Story

Thanks to everyone who donated their time, money, food, items for the raffle, etc at Kynnedi's benefit. It means so much to this family. Kynnedi is a lucky girl.

Wendy

{Kynnedi is my great-niece. Her father, Jamie aka..Jake is my nephew. Jake and Emily are wonderful, responsible, parents. It is moments like this, that remind me what kind of man (26) my nephew has become. He makes sure his family is taken care of, his children (he adopted Kylynn in 2005) know he loves them, and he is actively involved in their life, and care. Kynnedi is a bright, wonderful, happy, baby. Please help them achieve the goal they have set for Kynnedi.}

love-n-luck,

wendy

Have I ever told you I have 4 sisters?

Well, I do. Those of you who know me, probably know most of my sisters. The oldest is Cindy, then the twins Dianne and Deanne, then Michelle, and last is me..i am the baby (of 8). My sisters and I are very close. I know I can call any of them at anytime, day or night, and I will (usually) get full support on what ever ails me. I love them. I am proud of them. We, as individuals, have overcome amazing obstacles. We, as sisters, have overcome even greater obstacles. We have triumphed, laughed, loved, and lost people we have loved, and liked TOGETHER.

We are all creative..Cindy with her beads, Dianne and Deanne with their crafts..Michelle with her voice and quick wit, and me with my scrapbooking. We support each other, tell each other what we need to hear..even if it is harsh. I love each and every one of them differently. I am honored to call them my sisters.

w

If I EVER decide to take my children here again.....

someone PLEASE tell me to either become VERY inebriated...or take large doses of prozac before entering. thanks..you're swell.
Actually it wasn't too terribly bad (it's almost like childbirth..you forgot the agonizing pain hours after you have gone through it)...except..i lost miss riles for a good 5 min. I was totally freaking out. They called a code adam and everything. She was playing in the toddler play area..picture mcdonald's playland...and i turned to help danny with a game...viola..Riles is GONE. Guess where we found her?? She had to go potty. How she managed to FIND the bathroom in the first place is beyond me. So..i cried..hugged her...screamed at her..hugged her some more..and proceeded to put myself through more of The Amazing Pizza Machine.

It was actually a pretty cool place..just not totally cool with a 3 year old. Danny had fun. That is all that matters..wanna know something so totally cool about being a parent?? You get to take your kids places your parents would never take you..unfortunately, know we know WHY they didn't take us there! lol...
Love-n-luck,
w

Why is it...that...
the biggest, most horrible mistake I made in my life..will continue to come back and haunt my son? I just wonder at the justice system sometimes. I wonder why..when I have a wonderful husband, who is willing and WANTS to adopt MY SON..why this man..(featured in this article on the FRONT PAGE (his/hers pictures included) of a newspaper..a newspaper MY SON'S fourth grade class reads in their classrooms), will not allow this adoption to happen. Why?? Why can't I take this man's criminal record to court and make this happen?? I am so angry..angry at myself for being young and naive, angry because I think dark and angry thoughts, angry that MY SON..will always have this albatross around his neck. You know what tho?? I would make that same mistake over and over in a million lifetimes...why?? Because this child makes that mistake, a blessing.

Here are some more layouts..

My Passion..besides teaching and my children...

is scrapbooking. Many people think scrapbooking is just playing with pictures and paper..well, it is..but to me (and many others) it is so much more. To me, scrapbooking is a chance to be creative. It is a chance for me to play with my pictures and paper, and create lasting memories to leave behind to my children. (Memories that will have the names of the people in the photos, what they were doing, etc.) Now..most people know I do not have a creative bone in my body..NONE..many of my layouts are copied from sketches. Now..most sketches are only black and white "floor plans." I choose the paper, embellies, ribbon, etc..the sketches just help me put it all together. Some layouts I have copied from magazines, online galleries, and othe places. These layouts, the scrapbooking industry calls..scraplifts..cute huh? But, sometimes, I amaze myself and create spectacular layouts all on my own..sometimes..So..I have put together some of my very favorite layouts of the kiddos, kiddos I admit to calling mine. (some of these layouts do come from scraplifts and sketches)

"Please I had 'nother one?"

Is what riles has been screaming at me for the last 10 minutes. She wants another sippy of milk..yes this child still drinks milk from a bottle like sippy cup. I told her, "Uh..no" so she started shouting it at me. (like that is going to make me do it..) She isn't feeling well today, feeling so bad I kept her home from her favorite thing..peaschool..which she is very mad about as well. (like i wanted too..3 hours to myself..or listening to a 3 year old yell at me, hmm..which would YOU have chosen?)Sorry kiddo, you are just to grumpy and sick to see Mrs. Barney.

Here is what grumpy looks like..sorry for the blurry photo.

Ok..on the advice of a friend..i need to post some pics of my kiddos.
I am a mother of two beautiful children..our son Danny is 9.5 and in 4th grade. Riley (Riles) is 3.5 and in preschool (peaschool).

How funny is it that Karen and I ordered the SAME costumes for our kiddos? Riles loves Little People (eddie is her favorite, and he has a frog named Freddie)..so she chose the frog.Too funny!