Yep... we almost did it. Moved. To a whole new place. Same state, but not close to Atlanta. Yep. New schools, new place where we knew no one, new church. It was exciting, nerve-wracking, and stressful all at once.
But, the key word above is almost. We are not moving.
So, with that being said, let me tell you all about the woulda-coulda-shoulda move! Stephen was offered a position in Savannah back right before Christmas. He hadn't applied for this job... the hiring guy used to work at Stephen's company and has talked to Stephen for years about wanting him to come on board. This was an opportune time and he brought it up to Stephen while he was on a business trip down there. When Stephen told me about it, my first instinct was he...ck no. But, we looked at the positives- no more traveling, base salary-plus-commission (well, that could be a pro or a con), potential to own the company in the future and set us up for a good retirement, a job he would enjoy, a great boss, etc. Stephen talked to several people who are in a position like the one he was offered, and who knew the guy that would be S's boss, and everyone told him to go for it. We started to get excited about a change.
We did a lot of research online. First was to find the best suburb in which to live. We found a great town about 25 minutes from Savannah- great schools, a great community. Then, on to finding houses. The area we found was very different from where we live now. Here, there are smaller neighborhoods with larger lots; 3-car garages; no vinyl siding; few swim/tennis communities because the n'hoods are smaller. More trees and greenery. There, there were about 6 communities in the whole town. Each community had several different n'hoods in them, all that shared a swim/tennis. Lots were small (like, .5 of an acre was rare!); all houses had vinyl siding (I'm thinking because it's close to the ocean?); no basements (it's so flat!); 2-car garages (lots were too small to have 3); and they were more expensive! So, we were looking at a 5 bedroom (with bonus), vinyl sided 2 story house on .25 acre and it would have been mid-300s at the lowest.
Stephen and I took a trip down there to check the area out. We found a neighborhood that we LOVED (!!!) but the size house we would need would have been way out of our price range. We didn't really fall in love with anything else, but we found a house and neighborhood that would work. It was right by a brand new school, a park, and a walking trail around a huge lake. It was a new neighborhood, so it would take about 6 months to build.
We knew we would have to act fast. We had a realtor come to our current house, not to do anything officially, but just to give us an idea of what we could price it for. I had started to pack boxes. It was like a done deal, y'all.
Then, some strange turns of events happened. The hiring guy in Savannah had talked to someone at his current company, telling him the plans of wanting to bring Stephen on board. (the new job isn't with his current company, but with an ally). Long story short, a guy who's a VP at Stephen's company caught wind and called Stephen, saying he didn't think Savannah was the right market for him. That prompted Stephen to call a guy who used to work that same job in Savannah, and that guy told him the reality of working down there. Basically, he worked his tail off for way less than he was making at Stephen's company, and Savannah is a very protective community that wants to work only with locals. It's hard to get your foot in the door.
It's funny- the first 10 people Stephen talked with were all like- yeah! Do it! It'll be great! But those last 2 conversations put the nail in the coffin. It wouldn't be worth it moving all the way down there to work longer hours for less money. Not a smart move. It was a Godsend that the right people found out and that Stephen was able to speak with them.
So, Savannah is off the table! But it was kind of fun thinking about starting over somewhere new. Who knows where life will take us, and I'm content here... for now... (though Zillow and I have weekly visits, just in case something else comes up!)
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Taylor-ese
Author's note: Another draft that was never completed from probably 1.5-2 years ago!
Taylor has jumped from sounding like a toddler to talking like a little girl. But, she still says some words in her own way. I love it, and definitely want to document them so I won't ever forget! Here is a sample from the Taylor-ese dictionary:
"sook" = school
"soot" = stool
"sloff" = floss
She adds an "n" onto verbs that end in a vowel sound before the -ing. For example:
crynin' = crying
doonin' = doing
Shelf = Michelle (her teacher)
"Doda"- Dora
"Marfs"- Smurfs
"I tongry"- I'm hungry
"moose"- spoon
Taylor has jumped from sounding like a toddler to talking like a little girl. But, she still says some words in her own way. I love it, and definitely want to document them so I won't ever forget! Here is a sample from the Taylor-ese dictionary:
"sook" = school
"soot" = stool
"sloff" = floss
She adds an "n" onto verbs that end in a vowel sound before the -ing. For example:
crynin' = crying
doonin' = doing
Shelf = Michelle (her teacher)
"Doda"- Dora
"Marfs"- Smurfs
"I tongry"- I'm hungry
"moose"- spoon
Sydney @ 6
Author's note: This was a draft that I started a while ago and never finished! Thought I'd just go ahead and publish what I had done.
It's hard to believe that my Sydney is 6 years old!
Last year's Sydney update was fun to do. Here's a little peek at Sydney at 6 years of age.
It's hard to believe that my Sydney is 6 years old!
Last year's Sydney update was fun to do. Here's a little peek at Sydney at 6 years of age.
- Sydney's personality is a big mix. She can be fun-loving, shy, sassy, intelligent, and focused- you never know what you're going to get, because it can change in a flash! Thankfully, we (typically) get reports outside of the house that Sydney is smart and well-mannered. We usually see the above adjectives at home. She can be very moody at times, and she gets really shy on the phone or around others if she's not in the "mood" to talk. She probably gets that from me.
- Sydney is rocking it out in school. She's reading, writing, spelling phonetically, adding and subtracting, and loves learning about senses, maps, and much more. She loves her exploratory classes- especially PE- and it's fun to watch her socialize and meet new friends. (when she's in the mood, of course. ;)
- Sydney is really slimming down. She's losing all her baby chubbiness. I had packed up her 5T clothes- mainly because Taylor is moving into that size!!- but she can still wear those or even some 4T clothes, and has even put on her brother's 2T/3T clothes and can fit into them! (Now, granted, they're not an ideal fit, but she can still actually put them on and they're not horribly ill-fitting or anything).
- She loves being the big sister. At times, she loves bossing T and P around, and at other times, she's really loving and caring for them.
- Sydney can still pitch major fits. She'll act as if she can't do something when she easily can, just because she doesn't want to.
- She is still best friends with Raegan, even though they don't go to the same school anymore. Luckily, she goes to our church and is in our small group, so she gets to see her at least once a week.
- She loves pop music. She always wants me to make her new CDs to listen to to at night. Some of her favorites this year have been Lorde Royals and Team, Girls Chase Boys by Ingrid Michaelson, Telephone by Lady GaGa, The Frozen soundtrack,
Student Teacher
Back in December, my principal approached me and said a student teacher requested math at our school, and he wanted to put her with me. He said he usually doesn't put student teachers in 8th grade math, since it's a gateway grade and subject, but the Milestones test won't count this year, so he wanted her to be with me.
I was excited, but also curious... what would she be like? She'd have to shadow me for 4 months straight. Teach for 4 weeks, full time (sweet!). What if our personalities didn't mesh? So many questions.
I didn't have too long to think about it. She started day one back from the break (even my principal thought she would start the second week) and we rushed around to get her a desk, chair, supplies... you know, settled. And I have to say... she has been an angel sent to me. First of all, we have a lot of similarities. She graduated from UGA with a PR degree, (teaching is her 2nd career, but she's only 28), played sports growing up, has a 4 year-old, has the same kind of philosophies with dealing with the kids. Second of all, this girl is incredible. She's confident but not cocky... super organized... willing to take on anything. She knew all the kids names on day 2 (no joke) (my co-teacher said he still doesn't know everybody's name!) and she's a welcomed fresh perspective into my classroom. She has gotten some cool ideas from Pinterest that we have tried out. She is quick to grab something off my desk to do for me. Pretty shortly into her role, she started teaching my 2 afternoon classes for me... so, I would teacher from 9:00-12:30 and then be done for the day! What?! She is now in her full-time teaching segment, which is lasting a total of 4 weeks. Then, she will go back down in the time she teaches every day. Her last day is the end of April.
I have been so spoiled with her. Between her and my co-teacher, things just get done. I never take work home, papers are graded, grades are entered, parents are called. It is amazing.
It's going to be very hard to have to teach full-time again!
I was excited, but also curious... what would she be like? She'd have to shadow me for 4 months straight. Teach for 4 weeks, full time (sweet!). What if our personalities didn't mesh? So many questions.
I didn't have too long to think about it. She started day one back from the break (even my principal thought she would start the second week) and we rushed around to get her a desk, chair, supplies... you know, settled. And I have to say... she has been an angel sent to me. First of all, we have a lot of similarities. She graduated from UGA with a PR degree, (teaching is her 2nd career, but she's only 28), played sports growing up, has a 4 year-old, has the same kind of philosophies with dealing with the kids. Second of all, this girl is incredible. She's confident but not cocky... super organized... willing to take on anything. She knew all the kids names on day 2 (no joke) (my co-teacher said he still doesn't know everybody's name!) and she's a welcomed fresh perspective into my classroom. She has gotten some cool ideas from Pinterest that we have tried out. She is quick to grab something off my desk to do for me. Pretty shortly into her role, she started teaching my 2 afternoon classes for me... so, I would teacher from 9:00-12:30 and then be done for the day! What?! She is now in her full-time teaching segment, which is lasting a total of 4 weeks. Then, she will go back down in the time she teaches every day. Her last day is the end of April.
I have been so spoiled with her. Between her and my co-teacher, things just get done. I never take work home, papers are graded, grades are entered, parents are called. It is amazing.
It's going to be very hard to have to teach full-time again!
Mid-Winter Break
Every year that I've taught, we've gotten this ultra-nice week-long break in mid-February. This year, they shortened it to a long weekend- Thursday, Friday, and Monday off. Thanks to the ice storm, we had an extra day off (Tuesday) this year. It was a perfect amount of time off, and was definitely needed.
We did nothing!! Sydney had school Thursday and Friday, so I took the other two to daycare and enjoyed some free time, running errands, going shopping, etc. Friday night was Sydney's school dance and Saturday was Valentine's Day.
Sunday, we all went to church and then the girls and I went into Decatur to attend my cousin's baby shower. It was so much fun. They had little games, including one the girls totally ate up. Everyone got a shiny bracelet when they got there, and if someone said the word "baby", then you had to give up your bracelet. Well, let me just tell you... Sydney and Taylor were bound and determined to listen out for that b-word. In the end, they got all 20 bracelets (people were slipping up... wink wink... at the end of the party) so now we have 20 bracelets strewn across our house.
Monday, Sydney didn't have to go to school but requested to go to daycare. I took all three, ran at the park, did some craft shopping, cleaned house, cooked dinner... it's amazing what you can do when 1) you don't have to work and 2) the kiddos aren't home!
Tuesday, me and the three munchkins stayed home all day. School was cancelled but we didn't have any snow/ice. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry... I'll have to remember that come any days we have to make up in June. Like last year. #babysitting8thgradersisSOnotfun Anyways, we met Raegan and her mom at Chick-fil-a so the kiddos could eat and play and Monica and I could have some adult conversation. The rest of the day consisted of movies, play time, and snacks, snacks, juice, and more snacks.
That was it! Not a very exciting break, but any break is always nice. Back to reality now!
We did nothing!! Sydney had school Thursday and Friday, so I took the other two to daycare and enjoyed some free time, running errands, going shopping, etc. Friday night was Sydney's school dance and Saturday was Valentine's Day.
Sunday, we all went to church and then the girls and I went into Decatur to attend my cousin's baby shower. It was so much fun. They had little games, including one the girls totally ate up. Everyone got a shiny bracelet when they got there, and if someone said the word "baby", then you had to give up your bracelet. Well, let me just tell you... Sydney and Taylor were bound and determined to listen out for that b-word. In the end, they got all 20 bracelets (people were slipping up... wink wink... at the end of the party) so now we have 20 bracelets strewn across our house.
I think Parker loved the bracelets the most.
Monday, Sydney didn't have to go to school but requested to go to daycare. I took all three, ran at the park, did some craft shopping, cleaned house, cooked dinner... it's amazing what you can do when 1) you don't have to work and 2) the kiddos aren't home!
Sleepover time.
Tuesday, me and the three munchkins stayed home all day. School was cancelled but we didn't have any snow/ice. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry... I'll have to remember that come any days we have to make up in June. Like last year. #babysitting8thgradersisSOnotfun Anyways, we met Raegan and her mom at Chick-fil-a so the kiddos could eat and play and Monica and I could have some adult conversation. The rest of the day consisted of movies, play time, and snacks, snacks, juice, and more snacks.
Jeeps in the garage.
They are little BFFs.
Monsters Inc.
Picnic in our closet.
That was it! Not a very exciting break, but any break is always nice. Back to reality now!
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Happy Valentine's Day!
Oh, Valentine's Day... the Hallmark holiday of candy, flowers, jewelry, cards, romantic dinners, and whatever else may float your boat. In our household, it's just another day. I hate getting flowers. I hardly wear (nice) jewelry, except for my wedding band. Don't need candy or a romantic dinner with costly tabs and crowded places. That leaves us with cards, and Stephen and I usually have those covered.
Though, we did branch out this year and, along with our cards, I got him a daily devotional book and he got me a cute dress for our upcoming anniversary dinner. I know, I know... who are we, right??
Anyways, as with most holidays, it's so much fun for the kiddos. Taylor and Parker had their Valentine's parties at daycare, featuring ice cream bars. Sydney celebrated at her school with her classmates. All three came home with a big bag of treats, which promptly went on top of the fridge, out of sight (and hopefully out of mind!).
That Friday night, Sydney went to Jag Jam, her school's dance. To be honest, I hadn't given it a second thought when I saw the flier come home for it. I hadn't even mentioned it to her. But, one of her classmate's moms messaged me, asking if Sydney was going. Her little boy had wanted to bring Sydney some flowers. So sweet. So, I asked Sydney if she wanted to go and got an astounding "YES!" I got the little boy a stuffed monkey for Sydney to give to him. (his mom later told me that he won't put that stuffed animal down. Ahh, young love...)
Stephen insisted on taking her... I think the whole "boy bringing flowers" thing freaked him out a bit. Sydney melted down about shoes (those darn stocking seams at the toes... she can't handle them!) so I didn't get any before pictures. I'll include the ones Stephen got from the dance. She had a blast!
Saturday, we were together as a family! It was a fun day. We went to lunch at Chili's and had homemade pizza for dinner. The kiddos opened little Valentine gifts from us. A wonderful day with my loves.
That Friday night, Sydney went to Jag Jam, her school's dance. To be honest, I hadn't given it a second thought when I saw the flier come home for it. I hadn't even mentioned it to her. But, one of her classmate's moms messaged me, asking if Sydney was going. Her little boy had wanted to bring Sydney some flowers. So sweet. So, I asked Sydney if she wanted to go and got an astounding "YES!" I got the little boy a stuffed monkey for Sydney to give to him. (his mom later told me that he won't put that stuffed animal down. Ahh, young love...)
Stephen insisted on taking her... I think the whole "boy bringing flowers" thing freaked him out a bit. Sydney melted down about shoes (those darn stocking seams at the toes... she can't handle them!) so I didn't get any before pictures. I'll include the ones Stephen got from the dance. She had a blast!
Sydney and I got our nails painted at a local salon. We matched!
Saturday, we were together as a family! It was a fun day. We went to lunch at Chili's and had homemade pizza for dinner. The kiddos opened little Valentine gifts from us. A wonderful day with my loves.
Stephen made the kiddos homemade valentine cards. :)
Opening cards from Grandmom and DeeDad.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Date Night
Last night, Stephen and I had Valentine dates... with other people! Okay, okay, nothing scandalous, I promise. Stephen took Sydney and Taylor out while I had a date with my Parker.
Stephen and the girls headed to the CFA daddy/daughter date night. They said it was so nice- they were served on real plates, a waitress came and took their order, they got to answer a little conversation/question sheet, and the girls came home with a stuffed cow and nail polish. Cha-ching!
1. What do you look forward to most about growing up?
-Sydney: having her own kids.
-Taylor: a party.
2. What has been the best day of your life so far?
-Sydney: Walking down the street as a family (we did that earlier that day)
-Taylor: She didn't know.
(Glad we are so stimulating!)
3. What traits do you get from me (Stephen)?
-Sydney: blue eyes
-Taylor: gotta be older
4. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
-Sydney: cheerleader, because she gets to stand on people and do cartwheels.
-Taylor: fly in the sky in a plane and go to hotels. (can you tell her daddy travels a lot? She must think that's all he does)
Meanwhile, Parker and I hit up Shane's Rib Shack and then the froyo place. Can't say we had as much stimulating conversation, but it was fun just being me and my guy. It was neat being able to focus all my attention on him!
Stephen and the girls headed to the CFA daddy/daughter date night. They said it was so nice- they were served on real plates, a waitress came and took their order, they got to answer a little conversation/question sheet, and the girls came home with a stuffed cow and nail polish. Cha-ching!
This was the question sheet they provided. I'll translate the answers below.
1. What do you look forward to most about growing up?
-Sydney: having her own kids.
-Taylor: a party.
2. What has been the best day of your life so far?
-Sydney: Walking down the street as a family (we did that earlier that day)
-Taylor: She didn't know.
(Glad we are so stimulating!)
3. What traits do you get from me (Stephen)?
-Sydney: blue eyes
-Taylor: gotta be older
4. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
-Sydney: cheerleader, because she gets to stand on people and do cartwheels.
-Taylor: fly in the sky in a plane and go to hotels. (can you tell her daddy travels a lot? She must think that's all he does)
Meanwhile, Parker and I hit up Shane's Rib Shack and then the froyo place. Can't say we had as much stimulating conversation, but it was fun just being me and my guy. It was neat being able to focus all my attention on him!
Saturday, February 7, 2015
What's up?
Here are some pics from this last week!
Summer dreaming
Stephen reading a book to Parker... I loved how intently he was listening!
I love catching these two holding hands!
I took a day off this week and got to eat lunch with this sweet girl! She got ice cream as a treat.
These friends got to sit with us at the special tables.
Poor Parker and Sydney both woke up sick Thursday morning. Thankfully, Stephen could stay home with them, take the to the doc, and get them what they needed to be better.
100th day of school.
My super-organized child. Parker destroyed this a few minutes later!
Stylin'.
All about that niece
Parker is obsessed with the song "All About that Bass" (or, in his words, "A ba ba ba bay"). So, if you know that song, I'm sure you're now singing the title of this blog in that tone. You're welcome.
My niece, Madeline, just turned 12!! It's hard to believe that I've been an aunt for 12 years now. And, the age 12 seems to be a turning point for girls. Madeline is no longer a little girl. She is tall, beautiful, and you can talk big-girl stuff with her now. No more conversations about Dora like when she was two, or taking her to Chuck E Cheese's or catching her going down the water slide at the mountain house. This girl is now in 6th grade, has an iphone (and knows more about it than me!), is a brilliant actress, a gifted student who wears a size 10 shoe and a size 0 pant, and will probably be taller than me in a matter of months. It's really hitting me how grown she is.
Last weekend, we went up to Gainesville to watch Madeline perform in her school's play. I knew she had been cast in this play and had been practicing hard, but I didn't realize that she had the lead role in it! It was a middle school play, and she was cast as the main role as a 6th grader. I was blown away by her acting skills. She must have inherited those from her Uncle Bill. The rest of us missed that gene!
After the play, we had a family birthday party for the almost-teenager. I know time is just going to keep on flying, but I really wish it wouldn't!
My niece, Madeline, just turned 12!! It's hard to believe that I've been an aunt for 12 years now. And, the age 12 seems to be a turning point for girls. Madeline is no longer a little girl. She is tall, beautiful, and you can talk big-girl stuff with her now. No more conversations about Dora like when she was two, or taking her to Chuck E Cheese's or catching her going down the water slide at the mountain house. This girl is now in 6th grade, has an iphone (and knows more about it than me!), is a brilliant actress, a gifted student who wears a size 10 shoe and a size 0 pant, and will probably be taller than me in a matter of months. It's really hitting me how grown she is.
February 6, 2003
Last weekend, we went up to Gainesville to watch Madeline perform in her school's play. I knew she had been cast in this play and had been practicing hard, but I didn't realize that she had the lead role in it! It was a middle school play, and she was cast as the main role as a 6th grader. I was blown away by her acting skills. She must have inherited those from her Uncle Bill. The rest of us missed that gene!
Photobombed by Kerrigan's fingers
Madeline and her friend.
After the play, we had a family birthday party for the almost-teenager. I know time is just going to keep on flying, but I really wish it wouldn't!
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