11 Months!

Can't believe my sweet baby is already 11 months old!  

I know it's cliche, but I'm going to say it anyways:  This has been the absolute BEST 11 months of my life!  I can't believe how quickly it's gone by and I can't believe how much my life has changed.  I never thought I would be the kind of person to be so wrapped up / consumed with my baby, but wow.  I definitely am.  There is not a second I don't want to spend with her and I hate having to leave her every morning to go to work.  I'll be SO looking forward to my summer vacation this year.  We'll have lots of fun together this summer.  
I can honestly say that she has been an absolute blessing and JOY in my life.  She is such a happy girl.  She sleeps in her own crib, is not picky about eating anything at all, she entertains herself happily at times, and is just the cutest little girl with no hair I've ever seen! :)

We have less than 1 month left to plan her 1st birthday.  I'm still trying to decide whether to host the party at my house (which is 1000 square feet) or if I should see if I could have it at my church in their party room.  I'm excited for her to have her first party and I'm going to really try to be relaxed about it and just enjoy these last moments of her 1st year!  Here are some pics of my girl!

 

With food on her face!

  

Another shot of the messy, happy face!

 

Standing like a big girl!

Ah, how I love her!

LOVE having quiet student days!

Today has been a perfect day!  Quiet, only a few students, and just relaxing compared to yesterday's awful Monday.  Aside from the annoying meeting I had this morning (not annoying because of my colleagues, but annoying because of the lack of direction we are given), I have had quite a peaceful day.
I've gotten my room organized, my desk cleaned off, and am starting to plan out lessons for my next unit.  (Of course, I had to procrastinate on that last one JUST long enough to post on my blog, but hey! I'm still being productive.) 
On the docket for tonight:
- Basketball Fun 3:30-5:30
- Hanging with my sweet baby
- Updating my YIP on Picassa (I'm behind, go figure!)

Looking forward to this week:
- My nephew's b-day party (if he's feeling better) on Wednesday

- Having only a 6-hour work day Friday
- Going scrapping Friday at my church with Tina (and possibly Cheryle)
- Going to the scrapbook store in Marysville to rent a cricut cartridge for Friday's crop

So much fun coming up! :)  
Hope you all are having a good week, too!

Times Herald Comments

So frustrating.....

I find it disgusting to read comments people write on articles in the Times Herald (our local newspaper).  In particular, the comments on the news story about the senior pastor at my church and his family's journey to adopt a girl from Haiti (which started when she was 9 months old......over 4 years ago!).  The comments on the story are just so shallow and heartbreaking to me.  

Part of me wants to go on there and write some strongly-worded comment that would cause them to stop and think about what they've posted, but then I would be no better than them.  I know this because I remember every day 1 Peter 2:22-23 when I'm teaching 9th graders.......I could hurl insults back at them, but I try to keep calm and have "no deceit found in my mouth".

Anyways, it looks like my pastor and his family will finally have their little girl with them.  I'm so happy for them!  Here are the articles if you're interested in reading them:

Article #1

Article #2

I really almost wish that the newspaper would turn off these online comments.  People are not mature enough to post appropriately and I find that these uneducated, disrespectful comments are rude and ruin the story for me.  

RIP cousin Jayson

Had a very sad night last night.........attended a funeral/viewing for my 35-year old cousin, Jayson. It really makes me thankful and appreciate all that I have and those around me that I love and who love me.  It's hard for me to comprehend why someone might take their own life especially when they have such a big family.  But I know that he was hurting inside and that he must have felt lost and alone.  I hope and pray that others in my family and in my life don't feel that way and that if they do, they would reach out for help and feel the unconditional love that our family has for each other.

Maybe Jayson will find relief as he looked down at us in the funeral home....  It was packed full of people whose lives he had touched in one way or another.  His children were there, weeping for him; his friends who spoke of his unending generosity and willingness to help; his family who were shocked and shaken by what had happened; and others who had only known Jayson a short time.  He was a gentle soul with an incredible mind and an easy smile.  He had boyish good looks and a very big heart.

Jayson was laid to rest by his loving family in his favorite cap and in his normal, work-style clothes because that was "him" and he just couldn't be pictured any other way.  He was surrounded by notes from his children saying "I love you daddy"  and "I miss you".  He will truly be missed.  The world is one kind soul shorter now, but maybe he will be able to be at peace now.

His obituary in the paper:

Jayson A. Zech Clay Twp. Age 35, died, January 16, 2010 Beloved husband of Theresa, loving Father of Michael Beattie, Briana Rhodes, Catherine Rhodes, Anthony Zech, and Michael Zech. Dear Son of Joesph III and Susan Zech. Brother of Joesph IV Zech. Also survived by many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Visitation at the Wm Sullivan & Son Funeral Home 8459 Hall Road (3 Blks E. of Van Dyke) Utica Wednesday 6-9pm with services 7 pm Please share a memory at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com

The message on his memorial card was so fitting.  The poem is pasted below and I had to stop reading it multiple times so that I didn't burst into tears.....

I'M FREE

  Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free

I'm following the path God has chosen for me.

I took His hand when I heard him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

 

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I've now found peace at the end of day.

 

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;

Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.

 

My life's been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief;

Don't lengthen your pain with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and peace to thee,

God wanted me now-He set me free

 

Author:  Shannon Lee   Moseley.

 

May you rest in peace, dear cousin.....

Whew!

This is just a WHIRLWIND of a week!  I feel like I have NO down time at all!  That's very rough for me.  I like to have time to myself to just relax and decompress.  

Yesterday I worked all day, played basketball from 3:30-6, then had Bible Study from 6:30-8:30.  It was a crazy day.  But a good day, too!  

I really love the basketball open gym that I've gone to the past 2 weeks.  It is so much fun for me.  I haven't played in years and I have really missed playing with a "team" and having some friendly competition.  I have surprised myself by how well I am still able to play.  I'm not as awful as I would have expected to be after so long of not playing!  I was having so much fun that I had planned to leave at 5:30, but they kept begging me to play "just one more game" and so I didn't leave there until nearly 6:00!  This put me at a serious time-crunch to get to my bible study at 6:30 without smelling like a sweaty mess!  So, in world record time, I flew home, showered, changed, and got out the door and was only 5 minutes late to my Bible group.

We studied Proverbs and read through passages and talked about how it impacted us.  I especially like Proverbs 31:10-31, verses about the virtuous woman.  Wow.  How inspiring!  And at the same time, how humbling!  To be any of the things she is described as being would be the most wonderful blessing.  If you have some time, you should read it.  (Especially those wonderful ladies and mommies out there!)  Here's a link to an online Bible if you don't have one of your own handy:  Proverbs 31:10-31.

Today is going to be a similarly crazy day, I have a feeling.  I am working, have a staff meeting after work, my nephew might stay for tutoring, and then I am attending  a viewing with my parents for my cousin who passed away this past week.  I will hardly get to see my hubby or my baby girl these next 2 days.  That KILLS me!

Also, Saturday, the 22nd, I'm doing a 12-hour crop with some friends as a fundraiser for a person we know who has cancer.  I am very excited to get some solid, peaceful hours to scrap, but again, I won't see my baby girl, so I'm kind of bummed about that. I'll just have to soak her in and get lots of snuggles and slimy smooches Thursday and Friday!  :)

Hope you all are having a great week and that it's not as hectic as mine! (unless you like that kind of crazy schedule.........)

2010 - A Year in Pictures

One "resolution" I'm aiming for is to keep up with my Y.I.P. album on Picassa.  So far, so good! :)

Check it out if you have a few moments!
2010 - YIP

A New Year........

This New Year has really brought some big changes to my home already.  Monday morning, my husband, Nick, was laid off from his job in car sales.  

As crazy as it is to think of him not having a job, not working, and not bringing in a paycheck, it's also equally exciting and relieving to us.  Call us crazy, but it's true!

Nick has been very unhappy in his job lately.  (Actually for at least the past year.)  He has felt very mis-treated by his employers and has not been selling as many cars as in the past.  The commission checks have become fewer and farther between, and have forced us to no longer rely on his income at all.  His income would go directly into our savings account, or be used by us on special things like family dinners and such.

Now that he is not working, he is able to stay home and care for our adorable 10-month old baby girl, Alina.  When he was working, he worked 2 nights until 9 pm and the other nights until 6 pm, leaving very little time for family time and relaxing.  We all felt the stress and craziness of this schedule and we HATED it.

This past week, our home has had such a calm about it.  I don't have to rush to get Ali, then rush home, start dinner, unpack Ali, pack her for the next day, clean house, do any homework I need to, take care of Ali, get Jake going on his homework, etc.  Now when I come home, my house is clean, my baby is happy and home playing, and my hubby has dinner all lined up.  It's amazing!

He is hoping to get into the Michigan Works college program and is hoping to get some sort of a degree while he is unemployed.  This has been an ambition of his for quite some time now, but he has been unable to really accomplish it because of his long work hours.  Now, I think he will really be able to grab hold of this opportunity and make the most of it.

It is still kind of scary to think about him not working, but I know that God has a plan for us and that if we just put our trust in Him, He will make it all work out for us.  I know that I should not worry about it and that if I worry, I am doubting God's plan.  I am trusting in Him, which is a rather new thing for me, and I don't usually outwardly express my faith, but this year, my faith has really become such a big part of who I am.  My family has been greatly blessed by God in so many ways and I have really come to realize this lately.  

1 Corinthians 1:25:
²⁵ This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Jeremiah 1:4-12:  

⁴ The Lord gave me this message:

    ⁵ “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
      Before you were born I set you apart
      and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

   ⁶ “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

   ⁷ The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. ⁸ And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” ⁹ Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,

   “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
   ¹⁰ Today I appoint you to stand up
      against nations and kingdoms.
   Some you must uproot and tear down,
      destroy and overthrow.
   Others you must build up
      and plant.”

   ¹¹ Then the Lord said to me, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?”

   And I replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.”

   ¹² And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching,^[c] and I will certainly carry out all my plans.”

And this is only the 1st week of the year.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for us the other 51!

A Back-Handed Compliment

My darling husband and I were snuggling the other night in a few quiet moments while Ali was sleeping.  The house was quiet, calm, and only a few lights were on.  In his attempt to be sweet and endearing, he said to me........."You look really pretty right now.  Maybe it's because it's dark in here."

What a sweetheart, right?  So now, the newest joke at my house is to say "Wow, you look really pretty in the dark!"

It was so funny.  He kept saying "Wait, that didn't come out right!"  Too late, it's been said and it was HILARIOUS!

Oh how I <3 my hunny!

Have A Cup ..............

Enjoy a cup of coffee on this cold day!  It'll warm you up!!!
http://www.cartoline.it/pics/_zoom_flash.htm?immagine=scherzi_150404_01.swf 

A Tiring Argument....

As a teacher, I get to enjoy some long vacations.  I know that.  

I really love this time and have come to find that as a teacher, it's IMPERATIVE for our own sanity! :)  

I get so frustrated when people make comments about teachers having it easy and getting the summer off or a few weeks off at Christmas. 

If you yourself have ever had these feelings about teachers, I'd like you to answer the following questions:

-  Do you spend HOURS & HOURS of every weekend and every night at home doing work for your job?  

 -  Do you have to take your work home with you (LITERALLY) at least 2 times a week? 

-  Are you held "hostage" in your office, classroom, cubicle, etc. by at least 20 adolescents all day long, every day?

-  Are you able to get up and use the rest room whenever you need to?

-  Do you spend any vacation time / time off that you have planning and preparing for your next days at work?

-  Are you able to take vacation time / time off basically any time of the year you'd like? 

-  Do you keep careful charge over 100+ people every day and are you expected to know personal details about each one of them, including why they are not doing what is expected of them, why their grades are low, and what EXACTLY they are missing at any given second?

If you have answered "no" to any one of the above questions, please refrain from complaining about teachers' time off in the future.

If you have answered "yes" to EVERY one of these questions..............you must be a teacher!

And, although I have thoroughly enjoyed these last 2 weeks off, I have spent at least 1/4 - 1/3 of that time planning lessons and units for the rest of the year.  And, honestly, there is still SO much that I could & should do!  (But, of course, instead of doing my work, I'd rather be on blogger or on Facebook!)

Mommy Pants...........

So, I'm starting to think that I am the stricter parent between Nick & I.  This is somewhat surprising to me because growing up, my dad was always stricter and we would always go to "mom" for anything we wanted / needed.  Looking back on it now, I guess I just figured my home would work out that way, too.  However, this is just not the case......

Here are a few pieces of evidence to solidify my thoughts:

#1:  For about the past year or so Nick & I have teased that he's the sucker-parent because whenever we eat dinner, the dogs always go to him and beg for food.  Neither dog comes to my chair begging, but they ALWAYS pester Nick.  We even tried trading chairs or having Nick move to a different chair, thinking that perhaps it was just LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!  Well, no.  It was just Nick!  (haha)  The dogs know he's weak and will give in and give them table scraps when they beg for them.  Me, however, no way!

#2:  Yesterday as I was making baby food for Alina, Nick had her in the highchair giving her some puffs to chew on.  She would take one in her hand, giggle, and lean over to give it to the dog.  She thought she was soooo funny!  Nick called for me to come see her doing this and she wouldn't do it anymore.  I've NEVER seen her do this!  But as soon as I walk away, she starts doing it again!  Too funny.  

So, there you have it...............my realization that I am the "stricter" parent.  I'm sure there are other examples, I just can't think of any right now.  I think maybe I've brought my "teacher-mode" home with me too much!  Or maybe it's just the type of person I am (this is more likely, I think).  

Funny to think about though............who's the stricter one in your household I wonder?  Is it who you thought it would be? :)

Tooth Fairy Theory............

Jake and I had a discussion about the tooth fairy today.  It all started last night with him losing another baby tooth.  This afternoon, I found a new tooth had just come through in Alina's mouth.......taking her to a grand total of 3 little teethies so far!  Jake and I started talking about baby teeth and losing teeth and the tooth fairy.  We came up with a theory that I think is pretty good.........."Every time a big boy (or girl) loses a tooth, a little boy (or girl) gets one!"  Furthermore, the tooth fairy takes the big child's tooth and gives it to the little child.   

(Today's theory reminds me of the "Every time a bell rings, and angel gets its wings" idea I've heard before.)