I Made It!!!!

I mailed in my National Board Portfolio this afternoon. HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF!!!!! This has taken over the last 9 months of my life! And I'm finally finished with part 1. I will take the assessment part on June 13th. And then pray like the dickens until November. I need all your prayers on this one. I can't imagine having to do this again! Of course I took pictures to document this grand occasion...

Brody was VERY excited...

...and even cheered Momma on by clapping...

Here I am on my way to take my Portfolio to the P.O....PUMPED UP!!!

And here I am...about to mail it off...

Now, after almost having a heart attack, watching the post office lady THROW my portfolio box in the bin, we stopped by my parents because I needed some more congratulations thrown my way. Have I mentioned I'm like freaking out excited that I actually finished!!!!!!

... I can always count on Brody to cheer me on!

We celebrated by hanging out outside cooking some burgers by the fire. Ken bought a bottle of wine, and we put Brody's new swing up. He LOVED it!!!!

...here's my amazing, wonderful, patient, understanding husband building the fire.

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Feeding Is Much More Fun Than Eating

Yesterday, after Brody woke up from his nap, I gave him snack. I left him in his highchair while I straightened up around the house. I came back to find this:

Just In Need of Little Encouragement

I just thought I'd turn to the blogging world for a little encouragement tonight. For some reason I've decided to have a pitty party and I really would like to quit! I have two more days before mailing off my National Board Portfolio and I'm just feeling blah! I have been at my parents house all week working out all the final kinks and rewriting all of my entries. I miss my baby and my hubby! Although he has brought me dinner and my kid each night for a quick visit. I miss giving Brody a bath and putting him to bed....see I told yall...I'm throwing a REALLY good party = ).

I am also currently jobless as of June 30th. The most fantastic job with a principal who REALLY wants to hire me...does not exist. Well, the principal part does, but there is not a vacancy at her school. How's that for you, finally find a principal in Madison, that wants me for a Kinder position and there is no position!!!!! But at least they are starting to see my potential...

Did I mention I really miss my family tonight...Okay...Party's over...back to work! Send me your comments, I really need some lifting up tonight! (But I have to admit, I actually feel better just getting some of this off my chest.)

Oh...and to all of you wonderful people that lost power last night...we were with you! It went off about 11:00 last night and was still off this morning. And because Ken and I are gone before the sun is up, getting ready is extra hard. We literally only had candles and flashlights. Needless to say, I looked pretty ROUGH this morning. Hopefully the next two nights will pass uneventfully and all will be well.

Now...really...back to work...

I've Been Tagged!!!

I was tagged by Adair

If you’re reading along with me, your instructions:

1. Find your sixth picture folder and in that folder, the sixth picture

2. Post it on your blog with some of the background of the picture

3. Tag four others and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they’ve been tagged.

Here's mine:

This was Brody shortly after his Tubes Surgery. Always a happy camper for bathtime! So diggin' those stylish tan ear plugs!!!

I tag....Molly, Amber, Amy!!!!

More Videos...

This was a video taken two Saturdays ago when Brody was playing with Bailey. I love that he adores Bailey so much!

Climbing on Up!

Brody has been experimenting with climbing. This was actually an attempt to get him dressed Saturday, but he immediately rolls over and speeds away from me. This was his fascination at the time.

Poor Ken...

Ken has not had the best week this week. Monday he starting complaining about an insect bite on the top of his hand. It was a little red and swollen so he went on to the doctor. Tuesday passes along with Wednesday, no change really...other than the "bite" getting much larger. Thursday, it was ridiculously HUGE and he decided to take another trip back to the doc. Doc then decides to lance it. Fun...I know. This morning he woke up and his hand and wrist were huge!!!! I ordered him (nicely of course) back to the doctor again. He gave him a shot of Genomycin (sp?) and another kind of oral antibiotics with orders of warm, moist heat to help draw up the infection. hmm....

This is Ken's hand after the doc and shot today...

And here is the patient now...doctor's orders!

Does anybody know if its safe for him to hold Brody....just wondering...

Summer Wishin'

We've been teased a bit by this gorgeous weather lately. I hope it lasts but I think they are calling for cooler temps this weekend. Bummer. I can't wait for summer! Brody was so small last year during the summer months he just sort of chilled and vegged out.

He's going to be a blast this year. I can't wait!

I've been getting TONS of magazines in the mail for fun summer outdoor activities. One of my favorites is One Step Ahead and its older counterpart Leaps and Bounds. These are some of my favorite things....if only I could find that money tree...

Ball Pit...

you know how Brody LOVES balls! And this can hook up to a tunnel that you can crawl through...too fun!!

Collossal Pool...speaks for itself right?

Ultimate Beach Ball Sprinkler...

Brody actually got this for his birthday from the Kirks. He is going to have a blast with this one!

We have so many fun things planned for this summer. Lots of summer birthdays and outdoor concerts. We have a beach trip scheduled with our good friends the DeLoach's for the July 4th weekend. This will be Brody's first trip to the beach. I can't wait.

What's your favorite activity for the summertime?

The Love of a Boy and His Dog...

I have to say, Brody has gotten the Barnard Doggy Gene. He absolutely loves Bailey to pieces. She can make him laugh way before his daddy and momma can. I was a little nervous about bringing Brody home to Bailey when he was born. She had always been our baby. She got our undivided attention. At the beginning, she was very neglected I must say. She was so much bigger than him and he was so fragile. I worried about jealousy and tried to make time for her.

She was amazingly gentle with Brody and seem to have an understanding heart about the changes in our house. She loves that little boy as her own. Crazy I know, but its true! Now they are inseparable. Where ever she is, Brody is not far behind. He loves burying his face in her fur and squeals with delight. His favorite thing to do is watch her fetch. He thinks its hilarious! I let him throw this stick this time and he was hysterical! I had to get some shots of their sweet interaction.

14 Months Old...A Little Late

Brody was 14 months on the 9th of March. I can't believe how fast time has gone by! This time last year, we had a very sick little baby. Now he's a like a new kid! As always, I want to give a run down of likes, dislikes, milestones, etc for my memory.

Loves...

• sweet potatoes...still, I know!
• oatmeal...yeah the really bad package instant kind.
• any kind of juice...would drink 6 cups a day if I'd let him.
• being outside
• bedtime
• Bailey
• his daddy...but he's definitely coming around with me. He's reaching for me more now.
• any kind of ball
• STANDING...yes, you read correctly!
• Pulling up...he thinks its hilarious and turns to look back at you waiting for a "Yay!".
• bathtime
• doors...he has a weird obsession with doors anywhere we go.

Loves Not So Much...

• eating lunch at daycare...really not sure what's up with that one.
• touching anything wet...including his food, would prefer to be fed from a spoon unless its something like cheerios.
• to think he's been left alone
• napping at my parent's house
• not getting his way...and oh my goodness at the fits he throws!

Milestones...

• Standing for much longer periods of time
• Pulling up!
• Beginning to Cruise!
• Has gotten two more teeth in the way back, looks like ones trying to come in next to the front two on the top left.
• Wants to drink from a cup

**Story: I was cooking last night and came in the living room to check on Brody. He had pulled up on the end table and got Ken's cup of diet coke. He was drinking out of the cup. Most of it ended up on the floor, but he sure was trying!**

Easely Amused!

Last night, we had a girls night out at Easely Amused. It was so much fun! You get to bring your bottle of wine and they supply the rest. She takes you step by step so you really can't mess up too much. We have to do this again!

Me and Kim

April and Kim

Kim's Before...

My before...

Half way through mine...

Ta Daaaa.....

Signature

Just testing my signature...

You Have to Try!

I'm definitely not one for sharing recipes...because let's face it, I really can't cook. But this was one I got from Kim and its so easy and yummy! This recipe is to feed two. Just double it for four and so on.

Taco Ring

Ingredients:

Ground meat (I use turkey but feel free to use beef)

Shredded cheddar cheese

Taco seasoning
1 can of crescent rolls

lettuce, sour cream, salsa for toppers

Directions

Brown meat and drain.

While the meat is cooking, unwrap crescent rolls and lay triangles out into a sun pattern with the points facing out.

When meat has finished cooking, add seasoning mix and prepare according to package directions.

Add cheese to the cooked meat OR you can skip this step and add it to the top. Your choice.

Spoon taco meat onto each triangle.

Bring the points over the meat and seal.

Bake at 350 until golden brown and delicous!

I served this with refried beans and corn on the side. Yummy and so quick!

Perking Up At the Park

After Ken left for work this afternoon, I tried laying Brody down for a nap. He slept about 20 minutes and then just screamed. Normally, I can put him back down, turn on his music and within about 5 minutes he's back asleep. Well, not today. Instead he screamed for about 2 hours. I was trying my hardest to get my resumes, cover letters, recommendation forms, and work on National Boards, but baby boy was NOT having it.

I finally gave in, called Ken and he met us at Strawberry Patch Park. Within about 10 minutes of being in the car, Brody quieted down and was actually pleasant, babbling away. Brody had so much fun at the park. This was the first time we'd taken him since he was about 2 months old. He loved swinging on the swings and sliding down the slide. Ken stuck him at the top and just let him go. After an almost heart attack, and realizing Brody was laughing hysterically, I let them do it again. Whew! My baby is growing up!

Loving the swing

Loving Daddy

I know right....ugh! But man he loved it!

Again Daddy!!!

Seriously, how cute is that face!

Momma's turn!

One more time, puuullease!!!

We gotta do this EVERY week!