Out of the Woods....I think

My church trip went fine. My nose ran like a river, but I did fine being out and about. I will head back to school tomorrow. I'm glad because I'm going to be out on Friday for a CAT team meeting and I'd hate to be out three days in a row.

Sarah bragged on how good Adam listened and learned in class tonight. They are learning about how to share. I teach Toddlers on Wed. nights in February.

When I got Adam after class tonight I asked Adam if Daddy had gotten him supper. He said, "No, I not eat at all." When I questioned Bucky he said he ate every last bite of a Happy Meal around 5. But get this, he ate two eggs when we got home. He must be growing.

Sick

I've been home sick from school today. I have bronchitis. After noticing some pain in my chest when I coughed on Monday, I felt tight in my chest yesterday and had some coughing. I could get into the doctor Tuesday afternoon. He diagnosed me and sent me home with meds. and cough syrup. I felt good when I initially got home, but after supper I went downhill. I developed a fever (it got up to 102.2) and I was achy all over. I went to bed for a while and about 7:30 I called Ms. Cindy to let her know I wouldn't be at school. I emailed plans to Amy and so that made me not have to go to school.

I have slept today. My fever has been up and down today, but in the last hour I have eaten some and have been vertical. I am trying to get my strength up. I have not made a decision about tomorrow. I will sometime tonight.

Bucky will pick up Adam and take him to church for Quench practice and then take him to his class. By some STRANGE chance, I may go to church. I really need to print off some things for praise team practice tomorrow and need to see some people. We'll see how it goes.

Susan

Monday Notes

When Adam saw tons of black birds in the sky as we were leaving daycare, he pointed them out to me. I asked him where he thought they were going and he said, "Get gas." :)

I went to the RC School Board Meeting tonight. I have been working on the CAT (Curriculum Alignment Team) Team to create a more up to date District Writing Policy. We've been working on it since late August and tonight it was presented at the meeting. It seemed to be well received and Mr. Pierce acknowledged our hard work.

While I was gone, Bucky was busy painting. How exciting! By the time I returned home, he had started and finished the dining room. I was only gone a little over an hour! It looks great--so happy and inviting. I took a picture of Buck with paintbrush in hand, but was instructed not to post it on the blog. Every party has a pooper...... Just kidding--I am so thankful for his work. I'm not sure when we'll do the living room. It may even be Friday or Saturday.

Super Saturday

Saturday was the first day of the Upward basketball season which means Bucky is at the church for a good portion of the day. Adam played here in the morning and then we went to church for the 12 o'clock game. He really enjoyed watching the first half, and then he played with some kids during the second half. They were quite a bit older (5-7) but he held his own and smiled the whole time. Bucky and I did some things at the church before we came home.

Adam took a long nap and so did I. I had told Sharon I would help her get ready for Nick's party at the Family Life Center, and she told me she would be there around 4:15. I woke up from my nap at 4:45! I quickly got ready and went on down. Bucky and Adam came later. Nick turns 13 on the 28th. HIs party was fun. They played ball, Guitar Hero, and had food and cake. Adam really didn't eat lunch so he ate lots of food--mostly junk--but he did eat some Party Dogs, as we call them. It's Lil Smokies wrapped up in crescent rolls. He wouldn't eat the bread, only the "hot dog" as he called it. It's unlike Adam to like meat like that. He was so cute in Megan's lap, eating his food and drinking his water from a bottle. He has practically mastered that!

Adam enjoyed playing carpetball with Ashton, Nick and Megan's kindergarten cousin. He did NOT want to leave. LeeAnn was there, too, so life was good.

It was a late night. We didn't get home until 10 or a little after. We went ahead and did a bath to help wear him out. It took Adam a while to wind down.

It's another big day at church for both of us. Adam actually has a date with my friend Roxann for tonight since we both have obligations. It takes a village to raise a child. Hopefully, we'll get to bed a little earlier.

Finally Friday

It's Friday. It was a short week at school and my kids are kind of in a funk. Not putting forth much effort. Hopefully the weekend will help. On a positive note, I got the chance to teach two paragrah lessons to one of our second grade classes this week. I had asked the teacher if she'd be interested in me sharing the information I use for 3rd-5th with her class. She was thrilled and I was, too. The kids did such a good job. One kid wrote about his dog Samson. He had a detail that Samson bites. When I asked him who he bites, he said, "Me!" It was hilarious.

We are off to Family Date Night. I don't know what that entails except for food, but it should be fun.

Get well wishes to Kim who is under the weather.

Thursday

Upward season starts Saturday and today Bucky did lots today in the Family Life Center to get ready. He cleaned, moved stuff, loaded the drink machines, and other things. After he came home and ate (chicken, sweet potatoes, green beans and rolls), he fell asleep in the chair. He's sleeping now and I'm to wake him up to go to praise team practice. Adam and I have a night here planned.

On another note, Adam did not get in trouble today at daycare.

It's Official

Adam has officially moved into the two year old room at daycare. He has been staying in there for part of the day for several weeks, but today I guess was his first day. I am sad to leave Mrs. Sharon in his old room. She is so kind and gentle and her love for Jesus just oozes out of her. She would call Adam "Lovebug." His new teacher is Mrs. Donna. She is a sister to Mrs. Trina, the co-director of Higher Aim. She is very nice-tall, blond, stylish. Remind you of anyone? Ha ha!

Today I picked up Adam and he came to the door. The first thing he said was, "I get trub," which means I got in trouble. He's honest, huh? I told him to say sorry and he very quickly said, "Sorry Don-na." I asked Donna if this was normal and she said yes. It's a little more structured and there are some ground rules she wants to set. He and his best friend Eli are both in there. I think they hit each other every day (and have for some time) if what Adam tells me is correct, but I think it's all in love and male bonding.

As you know, Adam is not potty trained and I asked Mrs. Donna if I needed to speed things up and she said there is only one boy in the room who is trained. There's a three year old in there who's not, so I guess we're okay.

Tonight is church night. It sure doesn't feel like Wednesday.

Adam is hungry. Better feed the boy before we head to JCC.

Really? A snow day?

My phone rang at 5:3o this morning. It was my friend Roxann telling me there was no school today. Really? Bucky had told me there was a winter weather advisory but I never dreamed we'd missed. There wasn't much snow but all it takes here is a few flakes. It came just at the right time. I called Audra and Amy to tell them the news before hopping back into bed. I must confess, I was ready to go back since we'd already had Monday off, but we get to have lunch with Bucky and then Adam and I will make a trip to the grocery.

I want to give a shout out to Kerry--the first person to leave a comment. Thanks!

On the agenda: nothing

We have done NOTHING today. Adam woke up early and most our of day has included playing, reading, and a few shows on Disney. He is down for a nap now. He crawled up in my lap and fell right asleep.

Bucky enjoyed the ski retreat, although he only tubed and didn't ski. I have pintos in the crockpot for supper and I thought Adam and I might go out to get something to eat with them just to get out of the house. I'm not sure what.

Tomorrow is back to the grind, and it's our early morning because Bucky has devotions as the middle school. It will be short week, but every day is important. Testing will be here before we know it!

1.20.08

We went to Sonic after church today to grab a bite to eat. There was a long line in the drive thru and it wasn't moving fast at all. All at once Adam goes, "Honk horn, Ma. Daddy honk horn." Never in my life have I known Bucky to honk his horn in the drive thru for slow service, but something made Adam say that. It was hilarious. Then, we were looking at this red car beside us and I said, "Look at that dirty car. "' Adam replied, "It's not dirty. It's clean." Guess we have different standards.

We've had a good day. Church again and I taught the Toddlers. Adam's behavior was less than perfect--under the table, up during the lesson, etc. I didn't give him his Goldfish snack because of it. I told Megan that for the second week in a row he was the worst kid. She said it's just because I'm in there. She says he always does what he's supposed to in other classes she's seen him in and when she comes in after Sunday School. At two years old, does he think he can act up because I'm the teacher? I guess it must be hard having me and Megan both in there. I talked to him about it and I asked him if he thought he could sit in his chair and listen next week. "No."

Smart Boy

Here's aconversation Adam and I had as he was looking at my shirt with KENTUCKY on it.

A: What's that, Ma? (By the way, I'm Ma and not Mama as of the last week or so)
S: That says Kentucky.
A: No A in it.
S: No, there's no A for Adam. There's an E in it.
A. And a K....and another K.
S: Yes, that's right!

I'm not sure exactly where he's learned that specific letter. If anything, I'd been working on T, or at least it's sound because of him playing with his trains so much. At any rate, I'm pleased...and I know KK and Kim are very proud with his letter choice.

We love Fridays!

Adam and Bucky had a Father Son Day today. It has been a busy week and Bucky hadn't spent much quality time with Adam. So, today Bucky took the day off and the two of them slept in, watched some morning TV, and then headed off to Somerset. They picked up our paint at Sherwin-Williams (a delightful yellow color called Butter Up), went to Wal-Mart, and ate lunch at Mr. Gatti's. Bucky said Adam had an awesome time playing all the games in their arcade and munched on ham bits and cheese from the salad bar for lunch.

Tonight we ate at what used to be Ellis' Dairy Dee and what is now Mammy Frog's Diner. What a name, but thankfully the same menu except for the addition of frog legs. Would Mammy Frog really want her froglets cut up and fried? I'm thinking not.

We wented a movie at Blockbuster and we're ready to settle in for the night. I picked up a Clifford DVD for Adam for this weekend since Bucky will be gone and we have nothing on our agenda. I've got to do some school and church things but no events. Bucky's leaving at 10:30 in the morning.

Wednesday

Adam got a haircut today. It looks great. He walked in the beauty shop like he owned the place. The way Adam gets his hair cut is to sit in my lap. I can let Kristie know how much I want taken off and I can hold his head when she uses the clippers on his neck and around his ears. He is so ticklish in those places!

Tonight was the youth rally and it was at JCC. I helped serve coffee, smoothies, and orange julius--an orange drink . There was a good crowd. Adam learned in his class that the woman gave two coins to God which was all she had. He was proud to tell me when I walked in to get him.

Bucky is playining ball tonight after church. I think most of the men who ate wings last night have barely eaten today!

There is talk of snow coming here. I don't know. I have a meeting at the Board tomorrow so I'd rather us be in session. Who knows what the morning will hold.

New Furniture is Here!

The new furniture is here and looking good! We got a couch, chair, two end tables, and also a coffee table/chest we'll use to house blankets and other things. The color is called Mocha (I think) but it's a dark khaki brown. It looks really good and it changes up the whole room. Now we'll be ready to add some paint to the walls. I fell like we're on HGTV.

Bucky is on his way to Quaker Steak and Lube to eat wings with seven other guys. The restaurant is in Knoxville and it's All You Can Eat. Male bonding at its best!

Adam and I will have a quiet night at home. American Idol starts tonight so I'm sure we'll watch that. All he wants to play lately is farm and blocks. He's learned about fences so he likes to make fences for his tractor and animals out of blocks. Some of the blocks he uses are ones that Kim got him for Christmas. She made no bones that they were cheap, but they are also hilarious. Here are some of the pictures on them: varnish, pimiento, telescope (under a picture of binoculars), beer (yes, beer, complete with foam on the top) and also a picture of a loaf of bread with the word cookey underneath it. Buck and I have laughed and laughed. Nevertheless they stack the same as the others!

Nine toddlers in ONE room

Today was my first day teaching the Toddlers at church. There were nine kids , and it was like nothing I've experienced before. I've worked with many kids and been in tons of situations and this was totally different. It's kind of like controlled chaos. We learned about Naomi and Ruth and talked about how love is patient and kind. We glued, played, colored, and Megan Coe and I handle some interesting behaviors. I am teaching the rest of this month and will also have it on Wednesday nights in February. I'll be an expert!

Adam took a good nap and is now is the bathtub. He asked for bathtime about 4:45. Never too early to bathe I guess. His baths keep getting longer and longer. One night his hair was dry before he got out. I've got on my pj's so he won't be the only one ready for bed. I'm ready for it. I was sort of wishing for a snow day, but I don't think that's happening.

Tomorrow is Monday all over again.

Saturday in Lexington

Aren't Saturdays great? Today we had a big day in Lexington. We had tickets to the UK/Vandy game and it was so much fun. The Cats played well in the first half and then worked their way to a win after double overtime. While we were at the game, Karen took Adam to his first movie. They saw the new Veggie Tales movie. She said he sat with mouth wide open the whole time, except when he was asking for popcorn. We ate supper with Karen, Nana, and Poppy at Rafferty's. After shopping a bit, we headed south. I am exhausted, but Adam is ready to go after he napped on the way home. Might be a late night.

We went to the Laker game tonight for Homecoming. We got there in time to see the girls play and we got to see LeeAnn Grider, a girl from church, play. Adam was glad. LeeAnn was over at the house to watch the UK game the other night and she and Adam are good buds. He was ready to see, "Ann shoot." When I went to get popcorn at the game I saw Deron Feldhaus. Yes, that's right! The famous #12. His brother Willie coaches the Lakers and his niece was helping give out the crowns. He was still looking pretty good to me, but Bucky didn't agree. He had a wife and they had a young baby. You never know who you might see.

On a separate note, Alicia Gossage Mitchell is expecting twins. God is good!

Friendly Adam

I love picking Adam up from daycare. I always get a glance of him playing and then it's so fun to have him run to me. The other day when I picked him up, he ran to the door, opened it, and then stuck his head back in and said, "Bye, friends!" Too cute. Then, on the way home I was asking Adam questions about his day and he says, "Daddy take me--see my friends." He loves all his friends at daycare. Most of the class is boys and they all love to play ball. He usually plays with Jack and Eli. Or at least that's what he says. He's just a little social butterfly I guess.

Missing: Furniture

Our living room feels very empty. That's because we took our couch and end tables to church in order to get ready for our new furniture that was supposed to be here Tuesday. Guess what? It's not here and won't be until this coming Tuesday. So much for customer service. We kept my chair here for whatever reason or else I'd be on the floor while Bucky would be in his recliner. Regardless, we are looking forward to new furniture and then new paint on the walls. It's fun to have something to look forward to.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

The first Sunday of 2008! My praise team was on today and everything ran smoothy. We had a baptism in the second service. The three us of ate at the new Mexican restaurant after church before coming home and all of us taking a long nap. Adam was in the bathtub for almost an hour tonight. He played with and talked to all of his toys. He told his horse to, "Get in my water now!" Bucky had a meeting at church and then flag football at 6. Sharon has already called to tell me that he will probably be sore tomorrow from playing so hard. All in a day's work. American Gladiators premieres tonight. Wonder if it will be anything like the old ones with Nitro and Blaze. I can't wait to see if they have the final challenge at the end. That was always the best.

Busy Saturday at Home

Can you play golf with frozen greens? Not so for Bucky who headed out early and came home early. We worked hard today cleaning up the garage which was still a mess with all our Christmas totes and trash. I have done many loads of laundry so hopefully I won't have any to do tomorrow. Also, we worked some more with our new TV. We have it set up where now our TV shows us the number of whoever is calling us. Neat feature! We had some friends come over to watch the CATS suffer a loss to Rick Pitino and the Cards. Will things ever be the same at UK again? Adam put in his request for supper. "Chicken nuggets and peas, too." He has eaten lots and lots and, of course, needed some applesauce to hold all those peas together. Peas are always in our cabinet!

Big Eater

Family Date Night tonight! The three of went to Guthrie's tonight and had a nice meal. Adam cleaned his plate! He had two big pieces of grilled chicken, all his fries, some crackers, and a trusty container of applesauce brought along my his mom. He literally licked his plate cleane and rescued several fries that had escaped off his plate. It was so funny, but what was funnier were the burps that came from him after we got back in the car...followed by a good case of the hiccups. I've made homemade chocolate chip cookies and we're getting ready to watch Shrek 3. Good times!

Snow Day

What what supposed to be our first day back in school turned out to be our first snow day. However, there isn't much snow to be found. Temperatures are very cold though. Adam and I have had fun playing this morning and I've got a pot of chili ready for lunch. The picture of Adam in his hat was taken just two days ago when it was 60 degrees. You never know in Kentucky!

2008

One of my goals for 2008 is to do a better job of keeping in touch with family and friends. I thought that this might be one way to help.