What's up???????

Friends I am tired. If you don't know my schedule, I get up at 5:00 on MWF to go and workout at the Y, on Thursday I get up at 5:30 and workout at home. Tuesday is my day to sleep in. I teach 44 children constantly from 9:40-3:40 on MWF with only a lunch break and no assistant. Now, if you think that is complaining, it's not! I cannot even begin to explain how much better I like my job this year! I might even love it sometimes (shhh don't tell anybody)! But it makes me tired to the BONE.

Today I received a note from a parent that went something like this:

Mrs Williams:

Please excuse Ann from PE today she is still trying to get over a couch. If you have any questions please call me.

Thanks,

Mrs. Ann

Yes, Mrs. Ann I have a question...is a couch so hard to get over that you kid can't play 4 square? I mean it's just cushions and stuff! HA! That one really cracked me up!

Laine and Bowen had their first soccer game on Saturday! Laine did a great job she even scored a goal! Bowen and his team basically chased the ball kicked a couple of times before it went out of bounds. They will improve but he sure was cute!

Family Pictures!

Lisa Woods of Now and Then Photography did an awesome photo shoot for us the other day in Fort Worth. We were near the ghetto which totally suits our style, check them out:

You will have to scroll down a bit to see a sneak peek!

http://www.nowandthenphotography.com/blog/

I can't say enough about the greatness of these pictures, Lisa captured the essence of our family!

Laine Emory follow-up

Let's see, Laine is doing MUCH better! Thank You Lord! The day after I wrote the last Laine post I went to school and cried to the school counselor and told her everything Laine had said. She pulled Laine out of class and visited with her and even got her own daughter out of class so that they could have a little play time together and feed Heather's fish (our girls are in the same class). The following day I talked to Laine's teacher and let her know what Laine was feeling and she said she would keep an eye on her for me. Ever since then Laine has had good days, even some great days. We have had to have some lessons. First is keeping her hands to herself, being her PE teacher I have an eye in the sky and I notice that Laine is always touching and sometimes (most) is it unwanted. She has to learn that is not helping her in the gaining friends area if she in annoying people (I promise that is not how I put it to her :) ). Then we told her she has to work on being tough. This is at home and at school. If Bowen pushes or bites her she cries. We told her to push him back. Don't let him boss you around. Same thing at school, if someone is purposefully being mean don't cry and be pitiful...but what to say back... any suggestions? I don't want to teach her to be mean back but a snappy retort of some type would be perfect. Comments please...

Created in art today...

Just thought I'd lighten the mood on the blog a little! Bowen should feel awkward if he goes around with his mouth looking like that all the time!

PS:I talked with the school counselor today and have a teacher conference tomorrow. That stuff is weird when you teach AT the school your child attends. AND Laine had a good day today. I'll update after the conference.

Laine Emory

Oh my heart is breaking tonight friends. I had a gut feeling. It started before today but today sealed the deal. This morning I asked Laine if her friends were excited that she got bunnies. She told me she wasn't sure because when she told everyone they didn't really say anything. Guys, this girl is ecstatic about these bunnies. I would imagine she told the entire class about them. Then I decided to watch her at recess today when I had a little break. She went from group to group never really staying for long. Never really finding a game to play. In fact at one point I watched her walk up to a group of kids and talk to them and they all eventually ran off. That's when I knew things weren't going well for her. SO we talked with her tonight after supper about school and friends. And Laine feels left out. Laine feels like people don't like her. Laine even said she doesn't really like going to school because of the friend thing as she called it.

If you don't know Laine she is quite possibly the happiest child ever. She is never disrespectful, never mean. Rarely in a bad mood. She has a personality of her own and if teachers at her school were to describe her they would say she is "just Laine" because there is no one else like her. I never knew that until she became school age and I became her PE teacher. I don't want this year to break her spirit. I don't want school to become a place she doesn't want to be. Please God, let this be a beginning of school thing and PLEASE let her find some good friends in her class. My heart! It hurts!

Always,Sometimes, Never

I saw this on Annalee's blog and thought it was a cute idea and it gets me blogging more too! (Oh and if anyone can give a tutorial on how to make someones name a link to their blog I'd be much obliged because I can't figure it out because I guess I'm stupid)

Always
I always wear a watch I mean 24 hours a day I NEVER take it off. That means it's fancy.

I always do and put up all my laundry at once.

I always fix supper during the week.

I always go to the doctor as soon as I feel a little bit sick.

I always cry when I get really mad.

I always smile when my children walk into the room

Sometimes

I sometimes get tickled when Bowen gags and barfs for some strange reason, sometimes I get mad.

Sometimes I wish Bowen was still a mamma's boy.

Sometimes I wish I didn't have to work.

I sometimes think I've turned my kids into me. They automatically want a list of what we are going to do and then what is going to come next! Imagine me, liking that!

Sometimes I still get a large Diet Coke extra ice at Sonic happy hour even though I'm not supposed to.

Sometimes I still look at my kids and get teary eyed at how incredibly beautiful and smart they are.

Never

I am never too patient.

Never will you find me in bed past 9:00

I will never tell your secrets.

I will never go to bed without brushing my teeth or washing my face

I could never drink too much water

I would have never guessed I would be a runner.

I am never not reading a book or listening to a book on my ipod.

I can't even...oh stop looking at me you're making me cry

Yesterday these guys drove off in three cars and a U-haul to Abilene. Meredith told me not to be sad that she would be back on Tuesday to sign the closing papers but then she cried when she hugged me so that wasn't fair at all. That's really all I can say on the topic at this moment because I'm crying right now and I have an eye appointment in 20 minutes and I don't need any more eye redness than I already have. I miss them madly. More posts on the topic to come.

Fun times at a fun wedding!

Me and the beautiful bride! I loved being able to be there a couple of days before the wedding and helping out and hanging out with Leslie's friends! We had such a great time.

Speaking of Leslie's friends here are two girls that I would steal I I got the chance! Erica and Kelley are SO much fun and the best is they love books as much as I do and the VERY best part is they are just as big Harry Potter nerds as I am (Leslie too) so it's great to get together with them and talk books and HP! They are awesome!

So, I am a proclaimed blog stalker and I got to meet two people's blog I stalk! Jenni who I check up on periodically was there she and her husband were super nice! And I'd like to give a shout out to Caleb for being the best usher ever!

http://jennibro.blogspot.com/

After the reception we had some major Rock Band fun over at Justin and Leslie's they threw a legit party! Over on the left you will notice one half of the Carlile crew yet another blog I stalk! Trey and Jenn were really a fun couple! Jonathan and I loved Justin and Leslie's friends!

Here is a picture of Bowen that I absolutely love! He got Mimi's camera and started taking pictures, pretty soon we see him taking off toward the front of the church where the amazing photographer was taking pictures. I started making my way up there to break that whole thing up because what professional photographer wants a 4 year old up in her area, well apparently this one! She just let him step right in front of her and snap a pic! Too funny!

Cute family pic!

We cannot ever express how much fun we had with Justin Leslie and and all their friends while we were there in Jasper! It was such a blessing to get to experience that with them!

Cutest girl in the world!

Before:

After:





Side shots:

A couple of nights ago Laine and I were looking at pictures of updos for the wedding. She saw a little girl with a bob and a cute barrette, she said she wanted that hairdo! So, we looked at some more styles and she saw another little girl with a swing bob and she said that is the style I want for the wedding! So that is what she got! I think it's the cutest thing ever!

That Blake she's at it again!

Today I watched Blake while Meredith went to get her hair did. The first thing we did after naptime was play Bakugan. She told me it was a lame baby game and that we needed to do some big girl stuff pronto.

A little make-up always helps

Blush, blue eyeshadow and lipstick were her demands for an afternoon of dancing.

There, ready to party down

Now for the party look: high heels and a cool purse are a must for all party girls.

Next thing I know Blake had her some rockin accessories on including earrings! How did that girl get her ears pierced? Her mom is going to kill me!

All that's left now is to party down! I like that Boom Boom Pow!

I've dove lots of things and I haven't blogged about any of them!

That's because I've hardly been in town long enough to unpack my suitcase and breathe a second much less type a blog! Whew!

Vegas was fabulous! Here are some of my favorite Vegas things:

*The Venetian

* Blue Man Group

* walking the strip everyday (take tennis shoes when you go)

* looking, and looking and looking and always seeing something new

* being there with someone who knows the ropes, thanks Mom!

When I left I decided to take a figurine with me and take pictures of him at different landmarks in Las Vegas so Laine and Bowen would have something fun to see from my trip. I sent them from my phone.

Thank Goodness the kids didn't see us have to get Batman out of this wee spot of trouble :)

Holy crap it's the last week of school!

Best comment of the weekend: I had just gone to Costco and surprised the kids with a giant blow up swimming pool, we were getting it ready when Laine said "I don't know why but I just can't stop smiling". It was the best $56 dollars I had spent in a really long time.

Weirdest crap that's happened: I was messing around on itunes this morning before school and clicked on a song I wanted to buy. I thought I heard something strange in the background but I couldn't tell what it was...at first. All of a sudden it dawned on me! That noise was not just any old itunes ditty, ahem, it was two people not singing but doing something else if you know what I mean...how in the WORLD did that get on our itunes!!!! I couldn't even tell where it was or why it was playing OVER my other stuff, gross. What a way to start my morning.

Biggest bummer: Start time for my school next year has moved from 7:30-2:30 to 8:40-3:40. Now, those of you without kids or who aren't morning people probably thing I'm crazy for hating on the new start time but I'm totally hating on it! I liked getting done early, I liked having the afternoon to get things done. I'll have a better attitude by the time school starts.

Biggest winner: Las Vegas, here I come!

Signs you've been on a (good) Float Trip:

You are now the owner of a flotation device for your sunglasses and your beer.

Tan: face, arms, chest, fronts of legs. Pasty white: back, butt.

Part of your party doesn't remember part of your trip.

You have cool new t-shirts

You and your family had more fun than Colt McCoy and his friends did seeing Aaron Watson at Gruene Hall.

And your sister totally knew Aaron Watson, and recognized her and talked to her (she's so cool).

You were more tired when you got back than when you left!

Meredith and Robin had the cameras on the trip so they will have to post the pictures. Maybe that will happen in the next year or or two. We had a fabulous time! Happy Birthday Robin!

Reasons I'm excited this week!

It's that time of year where I have to come up with reasons to get up in the morning. You know for example, today I'll have a Diet Coke, or today is ice cream day or if it's Tuesday or Thursday no 5th and 6th grade PE. Well, it's actually been like that for me all year this year but that would make for a REALLY long blog post.



This week is exciting for one BIG reason: FLOAT TRIP! We are going with Meredith and Ryan and Robin and Koby to New Braunfels this weekend to Float the river eat, talk, drink, and be merry! The best part is it's not going to be 73* like it's been for the last few weekends in Texas. I'm super excited!



Another reason I'm excited is I should be wrapping up Field Day plans this week, big load off my shoulders when letters go out to parents, schedules are copied, volunteers are called, etc, etc...



Can I be excited that I have a purse coming in the mail, just a little? I'm calling it my I survived this year purse, it wasn't expensive, but I did survive.



Today something happened that made me literally do 4 jumps of JOY! A bully(mean, mean, mean) got in trouble in my class today and imagine my happiness when I saw him leaving school with a school officer...bully no more hopefully.



Last weekend Jonathan, Laine and Bowen were stars in a movie! I will post more information later so I can give proper props. It's called Hello Sunshine! Pretty cool...

Numbers

1: call from the Tarrant County Health Department



1: Internet search to look up the bacteria, Shigella



2 :cases of it in our house



4 :the number of weeks one can be contagious after contracting above bacteria





127: times I've cleaned my bathrooms, doorknobs, light fixtures, remotes, etc...to try and keep everyone well.

5 million: times I've said Jeez in the last two weeks.


On a happier note I had a good Mother's Day considering we had a sick kid in the house! I went and got a pedicure, bought some flowers for my pots, went to church with Bowen, it was a good day.

An exchange of words

Dear Eye Drops:

Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh! Why do you have to in my eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeees? I'm going to throw up.

I hate you,
Bowen


Dear Bowen:

We were sent to Earth from the plant Zorg to eat your eyeballs out with our acid, sorry we have to do our job.

Love,
Pink Eye Medicine


Dear Eye Medicine:

Oh? Daddy is going to put you in my eye? OK!

Bowen

Dear Bowen:

Don't let them trick you, I am BAD. Inside this little white bottle are daggers and poison and scary monsters. Your eyes are going to fall out, I promise, especially if your Mom puts the drops in.

Love,
Meds

Dear Stupid stuff in the bottle:

AGAIN! NOOOOOO! You are going to make my eyes fall out! And that evil woman even promised me a toy if I would sit and let her put that poison in my eyes! She is on YOUR side! Therefore I must scream every time she comes near me with the bottle or even mentions the word "eyedrop" in conversation! AAAACK! I'm going to DIEEEEEEEEE!

You STINK,
Bowen


Dear Bowen and Pink Eye medicine:

You guys are both killing me and we have 7-10 days of this crap.

Love,
Mom

A Birthday to Remember...

Happy Birthday Bowen! Hopefully, the magical 4 button has been pushed and 3, along with it's whining and crying, has been kicked out for good!

Well this weekend has been eventful to say the least, although not in the way you would hope a Birthday weekend would be eventful...

Let's see...Friday afternoon started out with Bowen having the runs, I mean I was pulling into a Wendy's on the way home from school for him to use the bathroom.

Then...he ran a 102 fever and I called the Doctor's office because you can't be too careful right now with everything that's going around (oink) and I didn't want to go around infecting the world if he indeed had something sinister.

More runs, more fever, told by Dr. to wait and see if he developed any other symptoms.

Saturday morning we added blood to his stool and I don't mean his chair. We ended up in the ER that afternoon over that because he was having stomach pain and we just had a really pitiful little boy...

We in the meantime obviously postponed our family party, found out he may have a bacterial infection, or maybe just the ever popular "virus".

Throughout all this he has continued to eat and drink, amazing. Another amazing fact is that we were in and out of Cook's in 2 count them TWO hours on a Saturday afternoon. I was expecting to be there a really long time. Thank the Lord for small blessings!

I knew he was on the mend this morning when he came into our room and exclaimed "I'm feeling better!" When all weekend all he could say is "I feel bad". Poor boy.

But wait! When we got to Mere and Ryan's house for his party we noticed his eye looked kind of red...hmmm. Now he has pink eye! Great! Can you say immuno suppressed?

We had a great party over at Mere and Ryan's! Ryan cooked some awesome burgers, we opened presents and ate cake and Bowen got to play with his presents till his heart's content! Thank goodness we hadn't planned a big party on Saturday that I would have had to cancel because Bowen got sick! Whew! I worked out great and I loved having a family party, it was perfect.

Here are some pictures of our 4 year old boy!

Hard

Sometimes stuff is just hard...

you know like when your dog can't stop peeing all over your living room hardwood floor and carpet because she is old.

when you're sitting outside and your cat runs across the street to greet you and then the neighboor drives up into his driveway and gets out of his car and your cat then runs back across the street, runs up to your neighboor and then, to the shock of the whole family, goes inside the house with him...at least he got booted out about 30 seconds later, but still. Jeez Pumpkin Batman, cut us to the bone will you?


Learning your child was unkind and had to sit in Lunch Detention.

Punshing your child for being unkind even after she had already been punished at school.

Pearland. Hard on the husband, which in turn, is hard on me.

I promise I really am not having a bad week or really even a bad day. Those things are just weighing heavy on my heart, well, except the cat one he's just a moocher, I hope he doesn't really love the neighbors, OK maybe I am worried about that a little...

This weekend Bowen turns 4, he will officially be a big kid! We are turning to family parties this year. I can't say we will do it every year but I was just dead dog tired of "big" birthday parties! They stressed me out, it got to where I didn't look forward to my own kids birthday's, that's just terrible! Jonathan and I want our kids to feel super special on their birthday without it being a circus.

These are a few of my favorite things...

I couldn't get Picasa to load all the pictures I wanted so I made a collage to get them all on here at one time! I love seeing everyone Else's favorite things here are a few of mine some are old and some are from yesterday, really!

I'll start in the middle.

Piper Sandals. Tricia and Audrey wear them and I always thought they were so cool and comfy looking. Yesterday we were at the Main Street Arts Festival and they had a booth, I tried on a pair and bought them right away. Not cheap, but totally worth it...can you teach PE in sandals? These sandals are hand made and mold to your foot bed after a couple of weeks. You can get new straps for free and have them resoled for $60. Awesome.

On top.

Stila smudge pots. I have oily eyelids and for forever my eyeliner has wound up in the crease of my eyelid by mid-morning. This is a gel liner that stays put all day, I think it's splendid, especially since it lasts forever.


On the right.

My new hair cut and color! Yeah! My hair was looking scraggly, hooray for new hair.

On the bottom.

Hope in a jar moisturizer. I use this stuff and it keeps my skin just right in terms of moisture. Not greasy, not dry, just right. In the summer I switch over to hope in a bottle since I tend to break out more in the sweaty, sweaty DWF heat.

On the left.

Multigrain Cheerios. I eat these almost every morning without fail with strawberries and blueberries. It is my favorite cereal since I had to give up Fiber One Honey Clusters because it has almonds in it.

And those are a few of my favorite things...

(are you guys singing the song in your head like I am?)

Easter Beast, I mean Best

I think someone had just said "say wiener" to try and get Bowen to smile and look at the camera. Will he ever take a normal picture again?

Williams Family looking dapper on Easter: (again Bowen with the weird pic)

Paco's centerpiece for Easter lunch:

Cascarones are always fun for Easter: