Why, oh why...and where....and who...and, ya.

It's times like this that I remember one of the major perks about teaching. No, not the money-ha-or the amazing gifts, or the perks of being self employed or anything....the breaks and time off we get!! As we enter into Fall Break, I have some time to update the blog which also gives me a place to vent. So beware, from here, you may not want to read. It's more for my mental health than anything else. I am not offended if you click off of this here and now, and do not return for a bit. I promise! :)

• my mom has been having leg issues. After a leg doppler, ct angioplasty, and an upcoming ultra sound, the doctors are still unsure what is going on. At this point it's one of two things: 1- a blood clot. Ya, we know. We are scared too. 2-a spasm in her blood veins/arteries (remember: I am not a doctor, I am a teacher so some details are a little blurry). This second option MAY be fixed with meds.


• in the process of the ct angioplasty, the radiologist noticed a suspicious tumor on my mom's pancreas. Awesome, so not only is she stressed about her leg, my dad, life, work, family, she now adds this on.


• we should hear from the doctor's office tomorrow (fingers crossed!!) so she can schedule her ultra sound and hopefully a biopsy this week-thank goodness that we are off work (again, a perk that goes along with teaching).


• I took the AEPA test for special education about a month ago. Test results come in tomorrow. IF I passed (I highly doubt I did) I will dedicate an entire post as to why I decided to finally test. If I didn't pass, then we shall act like I never took the test. I won't retest-it was HARD and EXPENSIVE. I studied most of the summer (off and on) and again the weeks before the test. True to AEPA form, the test was nothing like the study guide.


• dad spent a few days here. It was actually very fun and I enjoyed the time with him. He was in great mental shape and we had fun going to the store. When I take him, I "let' him ride in the motorized carts. And he is a crappy driver!! He hit a few displays/store shelves at Walmart, but I don't think anyone else noticed. I got a great laugh out of it!


• in a few days I will see an allergist. Hopefully we can figure out, and get rid, of the sinus infections forever. May be asking too much, but I can hope!


• Oh, did I also mention my mom has her mammogram this week? She is 7 (I think??) years breast cancer free. Each time this test comes around we are all nervous. Add to the list of worries, right?


• Abby and Kayla are freaking adorable. Today Kayla ran to me....all excited to see me. Abby gave me lots of hugs and kisses. These two are great for taking the mind off of stressful situations!


• Lambea and GB are getting along, great! I am so happy they decided to be good sisters and love each other! I am also relieved that they didn't have to be permanently seperated from each other. Always a good thing! Don't want to break up a family...

Ok, think I am done for now...I think

So in love...

So other people brag about how adorable their kids are, the major milestones...well, here are my loves! GB and Lambeau are happily getting along these days-just like sister's and BFF's do! I took this picture the other day after catching Lambeau IN the tree well....and all covered in mud. I wasn't mad because the dog's had so much fun in the water :) And they're little pups, after all....

The big 30....

So as my birthday approaches, I can't help but think what a milestone year this is. Thirty. 30. Three 10's. Six 5's. You get it. So it has brought up a few questions:
1. Am I where I thought I'd be at 30?
2. Have I accomplished all I'd hoped by 30?
3. What else do I want to do with my life?
4. Should I feel more pressure for this birthday?

I don't have major plans this year, and I feel like I should. But a big shindig just isn't me. And I don't want to make a big fuss when I don't know what I should be celebrating. For instance, (be patient, I'm thinking as I type) here are some answers to the above questions.

1. I never honestly set any goals for my life years.....I have never said that by 30 I needed to accomplish certain things. So I can't really answer this question. I am glad, and very fortunate, to be living in my grandparents house and keeping that memory alive. I am so lucky to have two adorable nieces (ABBY AND KAYLA, THAT'S YOU!!!) and amazing friends. In this way, I am so happy with life. And almost being the big 3-0!
2. I am proud of myself. I was surprised to graduate high school, so to continue on and be where I am today is a shock in many ways. I am proud I have furthered my education (as far as I can, pretty much!!) and proven to myself that I can do it.
3. I want to eventually (maybe 5 or 10 years) move into special education. Right now, I am so happy with my teaching position and I don't want to change a thing.
4. I feel like other people "want" a big party for me, but I have kind of already answered this question above.

So, biggest question? What will I do to celebrate this year. I have decided. And for those who know me, it has taken a long time to actually decide. But it's official. I am getting a tattoo. On my foot. And yes, the little sentences and pauses are necessary to enhance the fact! Once I get it, I will post a picture and describe why it's so important to me....until then....you must wait :)

So torn....

I was so lucky to find an amazing puppy in Lambeau. Since she came into my life, it has been nothing but love and fun (even during those hard puppy years!!). When GB came into our lives, everything was great. For months they've played, ran, and enjoyed being sisters.

This past week everything changed. GB's food aggression came out, and poor Lambeau had to suffer. It came out of nowhere; there weren't any real signs (little fights that didn't amount to anything over toys)...but these past two (yes, two) fights were so bad I had to take Lambeau to my parents' to give her time to heal. And boy, have I missed the little rugrat running around and her burst of puppy energy!

Yesterday I picked Lambeau up and brought her home. I was so happy. I kept her and GB separate until this morning, to give them time to adjust. Meg came over, and we tried having the two dogs together. It didn't go well. In fact, it didn't go well at all. Lambeau only wanted to fight. So after a day of tears, talking, re-hashing the situation, it's been decided to have Lambeau go back to my parents for a while. Let her heal (she still has some nasty cuts on her legs, and her heart needs to heal....). I will keep GB here.

I know it sounds terrible-sending my first pup away. I'm absolutely torn. At my parents she has two other dogs to play with, and my dad can keep an eye on her since he is home all day. And my mom can help her injuries heal. Right now, having both dogs at home I have to keep them apart at all times. One in a kennel, one outside and then switch. It's do-able, but not fair to any of the dogs.

My fear is that I will have to get rid of GB. She may not sound like a great dog (from earlier comments on here) but she is an absolute sweet heart. She loves to put her head on my lap. When I get home she is so happy to see me she runs in circles. Abby spent the night last night and GB joined us in bed-and was so gentle and sweet with Abby!

I just pray that, in time, we can go back to our happy little family....

Ten Years.....

Ten years ago, today, 9/11 happened. I remember it, like most Americans, as if it were yesterday. Everyone always says "I will remember where I was....." and it's so true. I was in my first year at ASU, and attended the Willaims AFB (aka ASU East) campus. From this day on, the campus changed, policies changed, and all American's had changed.

My little blog cannot tell all those who have sacrificed their life thank you. It cannot bring back those who gave everything for my freedom. It cannot heal hearts of those who have gong through this. I can only say two words....thank you.

As I sit at my house watching tv, thinking about family and friends, I remember the importance of this day. Thank you to everyone out there who has fought for me.

And we're back...

Back to school! This past week we welcomed a new batch of fifth graders...and I must say I am quite impressed. I know, I know, it is still too early to make any judgements, but I am very happy that they can:

• walk in a straight, quiet line


• listen when I am talking

As weird as it is, I don't feel like this week was the typical 'first day/week' of school...is it because I know so many students from the hallways and siblings? I just hope it continues to go smoothly!

Time to meet....

My newest addition to the family (on the right, FYI).....so here's what happened:

I went with my mom and Meg to the AZ Humane Society to go to lunch with Meg's mom-who works there. After lunch I casually said "let's go look at the dogs"...totally not thinking I'd end up with one. Long story short, I ended up adopting this beautiful dog-who I have renamed GB. Love it!!!