Weekend Re-cap

What an amazing weekend!  I can not believe it has been in the high 70's for over a week, and I love it!  I spent as much time as possible outside. Ray and Greg were on a golf trip, so Katie and I had some "girls" time.  We took Kenley out shopping and out to lunch on Saturday, and we got to eat outside.  Then, this morning I took Kenley out for a walk, hung out in the yard, and then went out with my family for my Grandma's birthday.  We got to meet our newest family member, Kyle, my cousin's son for the first time.  It was so cute seeing Kenely with him.  She kept saying, "baby!" and rocking him in his car seat.  And later, she got in his car seat and tried to rock herself!  I loved seeing her with him and how sweet and gentle she was with him.  It was funny watching Kyle sit quietly/sleep at the resturaunt while I chased Kenley around half of the time.  Oh, how times have changed!

As nice as it has been to sprawl out in bed and be a cover hog, I am missing Ray.  I am looking forward to having him home tomorrow so we can spend some time together this weekend.  With both of us being sick last weekend, we barley got to see each other the week before he left.  On a side note, I am still not completely over this sickness.  I don't know what is wrong with me, but I still just do not feel completely good.  I can't eat much, feel nauseous sometimes, and am so tired!  NO, I am not pregnant, as everyone has been asking me :) Thursday night, before Ray left I was in bed at 6:15 and Friday and Saturday night I didn't stay up much past Kenley's bedtime.  So, I am really hoping that whatever has been getting me down goes away soon so that I can get my energy back. 

Here are a few pictures I took this weekend:

Back in the real world!

Yay! I was finally a functioning member of society today! Whatever flu/bug/illness hit our house got us BAD. Luckily, Kenley seemed to be he least affected with just a little fever for a few hours on Friday. I was stuck in bed with a fever for a good 24 hours, which I then passed on to Ray. Now we both have colds, caught, and stuffy noses. I am so sad that we were cooped up in the house on the most beautiful weekend in months. At least, after work today, I played with Kenley outside for a while.
Which leads me to say that today I officially accepted the fact that I have a toddler, not a baby, which makes me somewhat sad. When I got Kenley out of the car after work, she could hear the little boy across the street playing, and she practically dragged me over there. They ran around and played for a while, Kenley said,"bye-bye" and then held my hand and walked down the sidewalk with me saying, "dada" because she knew daddy was waiting for us at home. Then, she sat by Ray for a few minutes and watched her favorite Elmo/Jason Mraz episode. When did my baby girl go from sitting in her bouncy chair with a bottle to initiating her own play dates and having shows?
I can't believe what a big girl she is becoming and she is learning so much every day. She can point out most of the major body parts hair, teeth, hands, feet, ear, eye,etc. The past few days she has also discovered her belly bottom and got frustrated when I asked her where it was and she couldn't pull her onesie up to show me. She also has her own version of the Barney song that she sings, loves to say "Jakey,Jakey,Jakey," (our dog) and says "hi" to pretty much everyone who looks her way. She cracks me up, and I can only imagine how much more she will be talking in the next few months. Can't wait to have many more days of nice weather to come!

Re-model, Tow, and Baby News

The last few days around here have been pretty busy!  Ray and I decided on a whim on Sunday morning that we would re-model our bathroom.  We have been talking about what to do with this bathroom since we moved in.  After several considerations and some motivation, we decided to do it ourselves.  By that, I mean that I helped paint and move the heavy stuff, and Ray pretty much did the rest.  But, we got it all done in 2 days!  We are really happy with the end result, and if we would have known how good it would have turned out we probably would have done it months ago. I think we are finally done remodeling the house!

Today, right after I dropped Kenley off at the babysitter's house, I stopped to get gas on my way to work.  I went to start my car, and it wouldn't start. I had  to get a tow truck, leave my car, and basically hitch a ride to school.  It was a very crazy start to the day, but luckily everything is fixed, and it was covered under warranty.

Last, but NOT least we found out that Katie and Greg are having a GIRL!  We could not be more excited!  I am so happy for them, and I am so happy for Kenley to have a girl cousin that will be so close in age.  I know they will be great friends.  Greg and Katie stopped by after finding out, and it was the first time I was able to notice "the baby bump."  I am very excited to start planning the baby shower!

Help Wanted?

For several years now, I have been considering what other possibilities there might be for my career.  There are so many days where I just don't know if I will be able to teach until the day I retire. Even since my first year of teaching, I don't think that I could ever say it was my passion.  There are so many days where I don't even know if I'm a good/decent teacher. It has also gotten harder being away from Kenley every day and going somewhere that I really don't want to be. So, the last several months I have been thinking of where to go from here. 

I know that EVERY job has it's ups and downs.  I'm not saying any of these jobs are easier or better than mine, but just considering the possibilities. Here are some of the alternatives I've been thinking about that I have listed in 3 categories:

1. Options that might actually be possible: becoming a Literacy Cach, teaching younger children, teaching college, Counseling/Social Work, doing in-home daycare, becoming a librarian, training teachers for educational programs, and subbing.  I have applied for a few jobs this year in other areas of education, but nothing has worked out yet.  Maybe I need to get a little more aggressive.  Some of the others I would need to go back to school for, but I really don't want to take out another loan right now.

2.  Other jobs I would be good at/have interest: Anything that involves organizing or decorating, opening a second-hand store, running estate/garage sales, housekeeping, designing home layouts. Last year, I thought I would try to start my own buisness, and I even went as far as making buisness cards. (I will give you one if you're interested!)  Although I don't have any professional experience, I love to organize, decorate, and design. All of my family and friends laughed at me, but I still haven't given up hope on this idea.  Summer Project?  I am also interested in a carreer as a writer,  I have applied for a few small journalism jobs, but since I don't have a degree in journalism, haven't had any success. Since I have taken up blogging, I am also very interested in how to become a professional blogger.  I guess I would need to get more people reading my blog to get sponsors, but don't really know where I would start.  I have also thought about trying to write a book, but haven't attempted one-yet.

3.  Other Random Jobs that are probably unrealistic :   working in a pet shop, being a stand-up comedian, being a mascot or other character, children's photographer, lifeguard, secretary, designing children's clothes, being a wedding planner, designing jewelry, working on a cruise ship, working in a salon, opening an amusement park, and the list goes on and on.  There are many days where I think, what would it be like to have this job?  Then, I usually tell Ray about it and he makes fun of me.  Especially, whenever we drive by Game Stop and I always mention how I would make a great mascot/character.

So, for know, I'm going to keep dreaming, sending out resumes, and filling out applications.  Who knows if I will ever get another job, or if I will stay in the same position that I am in now until I retire. Let me know if you're hiring :)

Shout out to my BFF's

                                                       

  I started this blog several weeks ago, and I am just now getting around to posting it. 

I recently read MWF seeking BFF, by Rachel Bertsche.  One of the things I liked best about the book was that it got me thinking about all o the types of friends I have.  You know, family that you consider your friends, co-workers, neighbors, "couple" friends, childhood friends, high school friends, college friends, etc.  I am really lucky to have so many people in my life that I consider to be true friends. Also, I am proud to say that I have 3 Best Friends!  My best friends are all people I met during different stages of my life: (from top-to-bottom) childhood-Joan, junior high-Cheryl, and college-Ashlee. I was lucky enough to be bridesmaids in all of my bff's weddings, and I had them as mine.

Joan and I lived one house over from each other from the time I was about 3 and she was 4.  We were inseperable most of our childhood

and we spent our days playing at "the yellow brick road," reading, riding bikes, playing with our babies, and torturing our siblings.  As we grew older, we spent a lot of time at Taco Bell and Fashination.  We always planned that we would buy houses next to each other and be neighbors forever.  It didn't work out exactly as planned, but Joan and I only
live about a mile apart from one another.

Cheryl and I have known each other since 2nd grade, but didn't really get to BFF status until junior high.  We bonded over our love of dance and spent countless hours dancing together between the Conrady  

dance team, Stagg poms, Dance Club, Stagedoor, or just making up

our own dances.  We had many sleepovers, watched scarry movies, and listened to country music, even before it was cool. We were there for each other through many boyfriends, break-ups, and the beginnings of our relationships with our husbands.  Thank God we both ended up with the only guys that were approved of by eachother.

Ashlee and I met at the very end of our freshman year at ISU and had an instant bond.  We were so happy to find out that we both got placed as R.A.'s in the same building, and instantly became friends, even having sleepovers within a day or two.  We bonded over our fear of roaches, love of Britney Spears, and love of reality T.V. She has given me advice about being a mom, and she taught me to become a couponer.  I wish we lived closer, but we still make an effort to get together as often as possible.

Thank-you to ALL of my friends in my life who are always there for me.  I might not get to see you as often as I would like, but it always seems like no time has passed when we get together.  I love you all!

On the move

 As you can see from some of the pictures, Kenley is walking everywhere!  It's been hard to get a picture of her where she is not on the move. On Friday, I was watching some home videos that I took documenting her "first steps" and I realized that it was just a few short weeks ago that I took that. She also likes to say, "walky, walky, walky" to let you know that she wants to walk, which is pretty much all the time. We were out shopping today, and Kenley did not want to be stuck in the cart.  We let her walk around for a few minutes, and then when I tried putting her back in the cart she tried to climb right out!  I have also noticed that she has been trying to climb out of her crib and can almost get her one leg up.  We're going to have to do something about that.

She has also just recently been getting into watching Elmo on Ray's I-pad.  I have never seen her sit still for more than a minute or two, but as soon as Ray sits her next to him and puts on Elmo she will sit there for a while and actually watch it.  It seems like  Kenley has inherited the best mix of both her parents with having a smartness for technology (Ray) and a love for reading(me). Kenley is feeling much better and on her last day of antibiotics from the ear infection.  It's been a good weekend so far, and I am happy that I get an extra day off due to President's day.  I plan on taking Kenley to Gymbouree tomorrow. 

It is so nice that the sun is shining today, and it has been staying lighter out later.  When we were out today, I started checking out all the spring stuff they are putting out.  I can't wait to buy some flowers and plants for our back yard and be able to get outside!  It's going to be such a fun summer with Kenley now that she is mobile.  She will really be fun to take to the pool, park, zoo, and everywhere!  I know that Spring is right around the corner, but I'd be fine just skipping to Summer!

Getting Over it!

Yes, I am still getting over my disappointment about the weekend, but I didn't want that to overshaddow a Valentine's post.  Please note this is one day late because 1. Kenley has been sick with an ear infection (we think) and 2. I was a bit crabby on Valentine's Day. 

Here is my post about the Love of My Life:

How we met:  We met on a random Thursday night at Holsteins in Tinley Park.  I spotted Ray across the bar and just knew I wanted to go talk to him.  I ended up getting him to dance even though he had just walked in. (Thank-you alcohol!)  After a while I brought him over to introduce him to my friend, Cheryl, and it turns out that they had known each other through their church since they were kids.

Our first date:  Our first date was the following Friday night.  I knew Ray was a great guy right away. He had made reservations for us, came and picked me up, and held open doors for me.  A true gentleman.  We had our first date at Buca Di Beppos, and now we live within walking distance from there.  It was also the first resturaunt we took Kenley to when she was just a week old.  We also called our first date the 72-hour date beacause we were together the majority of the first 3 days we met. 

How he proposed:  I was truly shocked when he proposed.  It was the day of my 25th birthday, and my principal came into my classroom at the very end of the school day to "talk to me."  Out of nowhere, Ray appeared in my classroom doorway all dressed up with a huge boquet of roses.  I had no idea what was going on, and Ray got down on his knee and asked me to marry him.  I was in such shock that I don't think I even said "yes" right away.  It was a very surprising proposal that he had planned out, and his sister came with the video tape the whole thing.

What I love about him:  My husband makes me laugh.  I think that is one of the best aspects about our relationship.  We are both wierd in our own little ways, and it works!  He is also very sincere, generous, and caring.  He makes me feel loved every day and kisses me every morning before work (while I am still sleeping), when he gets home, and before we go to sleep.He always tries to cheer me up when I've had a bad day.  He gives great backrubs and only complains a little when I ask him for them every night. He is an amazing dad and makes Kenley laugh like no one else.

My hopes for our relationship in the future:  I hope that we can enjoy each day together, be happy to come home to one another, travel, raise our kid(s), and be greatful that we have each other. I hope that 50 years from now, we can look back at our lives together and say we would do it all over again exactly the same way.  That we still love each other and tell each other so every day.

A few pictures of our first few months together:

Things don't always go as planned

So, we had this great weekend planned that I had been looking forward to for a few weeks. We left early on Saturday to drive to Gurnee. We planned to go to Gurnee Mills shopping and then spend the rest of the day at Keylime Cove watermark where we were staying overnight. Ray & I were calling it our Family Fun Weekend, a little alternative to our last few Valentine weekeends in Oakbrook. We were also excited because this was our first time taking Kenley overnight where it would be just the 3 of us.
We ended up in our hotel room at. 5:00 trying to get Kenley to sleep. She seemed so tired, but she was just crying and crying. After a few hours of her alternating between sleeping and crying, Ray and I realized we would not be Taking her to the water park or out to dinner as we had planned. We ended up tiptoeing orotund the hotel room, whispering to each other, and watching The Hangover on mute. At one point we considered packing up and coming home around midnight, but we were sure that Kenley would eventually fall into a deep sleep and we would go to the water park first thing in the morning. By 3:00 am it was clear that something was wrong. I don't think any of us got much sleep. So, around 8:00am we threw our stuff in our bags and came home. Kenley has been sleeping most of the day, and I'm planning on taking her to the doctor tomorrow. I think she might have an ear infection or someThing.
I know there is nothing you can do when your child is sick, and I hate seeing her cranky because she is not feeling well. I just had this idea of what this weekend would be like, and this was not it. I really felt like all 3 of us needed this little getaway, and it definitely did not go as planned. So, I was hoping to have some pictures of Kenley in her bathing suit, but instead here is one of her eating a Popsicle. It was the only thing I could get her to eat. Hopefully she will be feeling better soon, and we will have to have Family Fun Weekend take 2!

Family Fun Weekend Begins Now!

Yay for another week of work checked off!  Seriously, every day for the past two weeks I have had to give myself a pep talk to go into work.  On Wednesday, I actually sat at the computer at 6:00am about to log-in to our system we use to call in sick.  I forced myself to go, but now the weekend is here!  And I am giving myself a 3 day weekend.  We are taking Kenley to Keylime Cove in Gurnee tomorrow.  We are going to wake up early, go shopping, and have fun at their indoor waterpark.  I just can't wait to be away from the house for a night. As much as I love just hanging out at home sometimes, it feels like I never actually spend much time actually hanging out.  We are usually so busy that on the days we are home in between playing with Kenley I am usually folding laundry, dusting, cleaning, etc.  So, starting now I am officially giving myself permission to just HAVE FUN!  (after I finish packing everything of course)

Catching up with reality

Thank-you to my husband for letting me sleep in today!  I really appreciated the extra hour since it was a long week at work, and I had to go back to school until 8:30 on Thursday night for our Open House. Usually we both wake up together, but I stayed in bed while he got up with Kenley.  So, a shout out to him, even though he doesn't read my blog.  He has told me several times, "honey, I live your blog." Which I guess is true. 

February is here!  I have been looking forward to this month for a few weeks now because I know once it is over we will be seeing some warm spring days!  We have been really lucky this winter hasn't been that cold, and we only had 2 real snows.  But, I still long for the days that I don't have to bundle myself and the little one up.  I always just feel so much happier when it is nice out.  I think most people get a touch of Seasonal Depression.  (My mom swears that I have it, for real) 

Tonight, Ray is going to Milwalkee for the Bulls game with a few friends, and I am staying home with Kenley.  Ray asked me what my plans were for the night and I said, "play with Kenley and catch up on The Bachelor."  I plan on sticking to that.  Right now, that sounds like the perfect night to me.  Tomorrow, we are having our families over for the Superbowl.   Not that I will really watch much, but I'll have fun hanging out eating, and talking through most of the game.