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: