From Beanie Weenies to an Appendectomy

Oh my! Have we been busy here in the Spa City. We are finally in our new home. And by in the home I mean most of my belongings are in the garage, but "in the house" it is. As if moving isn't enough, my appendix decided to fill with fluid. Lovely!

On the 18th I awoke at 1:30 with what I thought was just cramps and by 6:30 decided I might have appendicitis. I called my assistant principal at 5:30 to secure a sub and Seth called at 7:00 to let his principal know he was taking me to the doctor. We went to a walk-in clinic at around 8:30 and they did some testing. They tested my white blood count. A normal wbc is around 11 thousand. Mine was 21 thousand. They then decided I needed a CT scan, but they couldn't schedule this until 11:30. At 10:00 they wheel me over the the CT waiting room where I politely drank the delicious beverage that would coat my stomach so the technician could get a better picture of my abdomen. Luckily I did not have to sit there for 1 1/2 hours in pain to have yet another needle jammed into my arm so that some iodine could make me feel as if I was wetting myself. The very nice technician listened to my sob story about how everyone has a hard time getting an IV in my veins. She was kind enough to put in a more permanent IV that could stay in in the event that my appendix would have to be removed. She is now my best friend because she saved me an additional painful needle wiggling, fist clenching stab. My CT scan showed that my appendix was fluid filled. I believe the nurse said my appendix was aggravated not angry. She obviously knew I needed a fourth grade explanation!

By 2:30 I was admitted to the hospital and by 5:00ish a morphine pump was attached to my IV! Heaven! At 7:15 I was taken to surgery and awoke to three comical nurses applying attractive support hose to my legs to prevent blood clots. Had I known we were going to get so personal I would have shaved my legs! I think I even said that to them, you know what anesthesia can do to a person! I am now fine and was released by the doctor today to "do whatever". I was only banned from lifting so I guess I can go lift some of the aforementioned boxes and unpack them in the house.

While decorating for Christmas, Drew and I found his cup and plate to leave out for Santa. We discussed how Santa would need a snack after carrying all Drew's presents down the chimney. Drew said he'd leave cookies and beanie weenies. I think the convo went like this:
Me: We will make some cookies and leave them out for Santa.
D: I'll share with Santa. He like beanie weenies, Mommy?
Me: I'm not sure. Let's ask Daddy.
D: Daddy, Santa like beanie weenies?
S: Sure, I bet Santa would eat beanie weenies.
D: Good. Milk, cookies, beanie weenies.

Now doesn't that make you want to hurl?

One for the record books

Drew was having a hard time minding this morning. So when we got in the car to go to school, I told him that God could see everything he was doing. That we wanted to make God happy and that when we don't obey, it makes God sad. I told him that God could see everyone at the same time. We then preceded to list all the people we know.

Drew then says, "He's a big, big boy!"

"Yes, God is a big, big boy!"

"And I'm a big boy!"

I knew if I didn't write this down, that I'd forget it one day.

Out of the mouth of babes...

Anyone who knows my husband, knows his love for all things Yankee Baseball! Because of this Drew now also shares his dad's love for the Yankees. Tonight at dinner Drew told me the Yankees were playing baseball today. Two games! (I actually think that's right!) I then asked him if he knew anyone who played for the Yankees. His reply:

"Arod!"

Now, how many two year olds know that!

Another Drew story! (Just grin and bear it, folks. You are reading MY blog!)

My parents came to visit yesterday and went back home today. While preparing for their visit, I was making sure the sheets on the bed were clean and the room was somewhat picked up! I sat down on the bed and Drew told me that was his stage and that he was a rockstar! He then preceded to sing "Deep and Wide" cause, "We sing that at school!" Too cute!

When I picked Drew up from school on Thursday his teacher told me she wanted me to have 17 Drews and bring them all to their school. She told me about how well behaved he was and that he was a good napper and didn't cry and .... I have to admit, it made this Momma a little proud! Drew is a really good boy, but I didn't know how he would react to being in a daycare and not just someone's house. He has done great! He can now sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" "Twinkle, Twinkle..." and he brought home his first "paper". It had the words to "I had a little turtle, his name was Tiny Tim..." and he drew a "turtle" on it! It hangs proudly on my fridge! I am so thankful that he has done so well through this whole move! God has really been watching over him!

I'll leave you with a few pictures of the little man from this summer.

I almost forgot this sad/funny story from school last week. Let me set the scene: We are working on map skills. The students have been given a map of the United States with only 10 or so states labeled. Across the center of the map in ALL caps it says: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Keep in mind I teach 4th graders. They're 10!

Student: Where's the United States?

Me: That's what is on this map. You're looking at it!

Student: You mean Oklahoma is one of the United States!!!!

Me: Yes (but thinking: Are you serious!)

Said student turns in the paper and when asked: What country is south of the United States? The student answers: Oklahoma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember that I told you THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was written across the center of the map? Oklahoma was written SOUTH of that title!!!

Drew's Room

Finally, I am posting pictures of our house. Well not our house, but our temporary house. I'm starting with Drew's room cause it's the cutest and the room that looks the most complete. We are only going to be living here for a few months so things aren't as they will be, but will suffice for now. This first picture is just a group of stuff on the top of his dresser. Keeping with the school staring theme I chose books that seemed fitting to display.

Because we put his train table in his room it seems rather small. So, his dresser and changing table are pushed side by side.

Nothing too exciting here. Drew's faux big boy bed.

And my favorite part: his bookshelf. The boy has books everywhere. I didn't even unpack all of them either.

I'll leave you will a final picture to make you laugh. Seth will kill me!

We're in the Spa City!

So we've been in Hot Springs for a week and a half and my house is in somewhat of an order and my classroom is on the verge of being complete! July was a whirlwind of a month! I don't even feel like I had a Summer Break!!! When I find my camera I will take pictures of our rent house and my classroom. Can I brag about my classroom? Of course I can, it's my blog and I'll brag if I want to! I am teaching fourth grade Science and Social Studies. In Lake Hamilton Schools this is considered Intermediate School. The building is brand new, the teachers moved in in January. And the building cost like $7 million. Holy Cow! There are 11 fourth grade teachers and about 290 fourth grade students! Yikes! I will only have 84. Man that is a lot of 10 yr. old attitude, and even more tests to grade!!! Anyway, my classroom has a projector that everything is connected to: tv, ELMO, DVD, VCR. And it's all controlled by a touch pad! Say What? The 3"x5" touch pad controls everything. How cool is that! There is even a basketball gym in this building for 4th and 5th graders. And it's huge! The teacher's lounge is the size of a classroom with washer and dryer hook ups, bathroom, and shower facilities. I could just live at the school! Ok, so it will be better when you can see it, so I'll look for the camera soon!

God has been so good through this whole season of our life and I know He will continue to bless us!

Goodbye

Today was packed with activity! I had an interview at Lake Hamilton at 11:15. That went really well! I should know something soon. We then went to the bank to get a pre-qualification letter so we could move into the rent house and they could start building our home. We met Suzzi, our realtor, for lunch (@ On the Border) and she had contracts for us to sign!!! (Exciting!) She told us the model home had just sold. WHAT??? This was the house we were supposed to move into! Never fear, Suzzi is here! There is another house in the subdivision that we can rent and it's right across the street from our lot!!! Now we can watch the progress everyday!!!

When we left, I asked Seth if I could drive so I'd be familiar with the road because I'd probably be driving it alone at times. (Alone meaning with Drew, but he's not much help when it comes to driving!) However, I chose to drive when a huge thunderstorm was a-brewin'. We even had to pull off the side of the road for a few minutes!!! Needless to say, we made it home in one piece but it took us 3 hours!!!

When we got home I had enough time to change clothes, freshen up, make a short (3 items) shopping list before meeting my former colleagues for dinner. Tracy, my teaching partner, orchestrated a farewell dinner for me at Goodson's. We were able to use their back room to eat and socialize, but mostly eat! Let's get our priorities in order! We had the best time getting to talk to each other and visit. Let's face it, we don't often get a chance to do this at work! I enjoyed getting to see a table full of friendly faces and a chance to say goodbye. I thought I was going to cry when my principal made me stand up while she said very kind words to me. Prior to my employment at Euper Lane, I babysat for my Principal's two boys. Of course, she brought this up as well, which made me a little teary eyed. It has been wonderful to work with a group of ladies who are not afraid to tell you about their latest Bible study or discuss the obvious plans God has for our lives in Hot Springs. I only hope to work with colleagues half this wonderful in the future.

As I write this I am exhausted and think I will retire to the bedroom where I have a date with the second half of New Moon. I'm missing Edward in this one!

Update on the Move!

Last Thursday we headed to The Spa City so Seth could meet the rest of the Junior High coaching staff and some of the kids. Our realtor, Suzzi, met Drew and I at the house we wanted to buy and had made an offer on. I wanted another look around and the family was out of town. We found out while we were there that the husband's company was going to buy the house for more than we were willing to pay to prevent them from losing too much money on their move to Pine Bluff. When I picked Seth up from school, we decided to just drive around realizing that we were going to have to find somewhere else to live. We happened upon a new subdivision and decided to just look in some windows. We liked what we saw so we called up our realtor, Suzzi, and she met us along with the realtor for the subdivision, Melissa.

Time out:
Having a husband as a coach definitely has its ups and downs. This was by all means and "up."

Time in:
Melissa, who is the realtor for the subdivision, brought her son and his friend with her and they happened to have on Lake Hamilton shirts. Seth mentioned that he was the new coach just hired at Lake Hamilton and it was like she was ready to roll out the red carpet. She asked what I did and I told her that I was hoping to get a job teaching 4th grade. She said she was the PTO president at the intermediate school this past year and she'd email some 4th grade teachers and mention my name. I told her that my dad's cousin was the superintendent and she called him by name, Steve. Her oldest son is the same age as Steve's son. Weird!!!!

When we decided on a floor plan she asked if we had housing plans until the house was built and we said that we'd just find an apartment or duplex until the house was done. She and Suzzi, our realtor, both said they knew people who owned some properties and they'd ask for us. Fast forward to Friday afternoon: Suzzi calls and tells us that we can rent the subdivision's model home! This is great! Now we don't have to move that far when our house is built and we can walk to the house in the evenings to check on the progress of construction! This has all been such smooth sailing, we know God's Hand is in this 110%.

Several people have asked how I've felt through this whole process and I have been unexpectedly upbeat about it. Things have gone so well that I haven't had time to sit on the couch and feel sorry for myself! I'm sure I'll be sad once we get to Hot Springs and move in and everyone leaves us there. But until then I've remained mostly tear free through this experience! God is good!


On a side note, I just started the Twilight series last week and oh my gosh! How much do I love Edward Cullen!!!! I know I'm totally behind the times, but when you read kids books all year long at school, you just don't want to overload! Plus I stayed up until 12:30 last night to finish the book! Then, Seth rented the movie for me today! (sigh) Enough said!