11 months....VERY late...Oops!

Oh pretty girl, I missed writing your 11 month post. You are quite the little diva these days. You have come into your personality....and your temper. You sure did get your daddy's temper. Whew! I have a feeling you will give us a run for our money pretty girl.
You are crawling with a purpose. You can walk when holding onto things, but have yet to take off on your own yet. I'm sure once you get your balance you will be off and running just like your brother was at this age.
You have started eating real food. You will eat just about anything daddy gives you. If daddy is eating, you are right at his chair waiting for your bite. You LOVE puffs and bread.
You are cute and you know it. This is going to come back and bite mommy and daddy in the butt.

You understand the meaning of no, you just don't like being told no. You will argue if you can and push your limits.

You are the light of our lives little girl. I can't wait to see what the next month brings. I can't believe you are almost a year old. It's hard to imagine our lives without you in it.

Happy belated 11 months pretty girl!!!!

Instagram

Well, I did it. I joined Instagram and I LOVE it! Sorry to those that have started following me early, I posted a lot of pictures from our trip up north and couldn't figure out how to post multiple pictures at once. But never fear, I figured it out! :)

So if you would like to see the more every day pictures of me and my family (mainly of my two adorable children) then please follow me on Instagram under the name kathrynelizabeth8.

Have a great Tuesday!!!!

Halloween 2012

Ok I know it's almost the end of November and not close to Halloween, but I still had to post our Halloween pictures. We had a lot of fun on Halloween this year. I was really glad that M was able to be with us this year. We took Little L to pick out his own costume this year. Baby E wore Little L's old Lion costume. She looked really cute. Little L decided to be Thomas. I was a little nervous how the costume would look, but it turned out really cute! We decided to go with our friends. Their son is Little L's best friend. It was really cute to see them together. We have never taken Little L trick or treating before. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, thankfully his friend knew exactly what to do. They started off the night running to each house and running back to us. That lasted about 30 minutes before they started slowing down. I think they started slowing down too because they both had fallen a couple of times. I know that would make me slow down.. :)
Little L had a great time. To this day he is still talking about it and wanting to go again. I think next year he will do an even better job. Baby E I think will do good next year when she can actually walk. Ok, here are the pictures. Enjoy!

Smiling at her daddy

How cute are they? I wish I would have taken more pictures, but I got too caught up in the moment of enjoying the kids and their excitement. Maybe next year I will do better with the pictures. :)

Fantasy Fest 2012

M and I were lucky enough to get invited to go to Key West the last weekend in October by family friends to go to Fantasy Fest. I had never heard of it before we were invited. I was a little skeptical when I heard it was people were half dressed, painted and basically had their boobs and private parts hanging out. I will not say I'm a prude but I have been to enough fraternity parties in my life that turned into huge drunken messes, with girls walking around naked. I am over that and really don't want to relive some of those moments. I was afraid that is what it would be. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a bunch of older people who were drinking and having a good time. There were some amazing costumes. It's amazing because I was always told you don't look at other people's private parts, but you catch yourself looking at people, especially those who are painted. Some of the body paint was amazing!!!!! I was shocked.
I won't post most of the pictures because I don't think they are really appropriate nor do I want to offend anyone. But if you are not squeamish of other people's body parts and you enjoy Halloween and dressing up, I highly recommend you attend.
I am really glad M and I were able to go. It was a lot of fun and I think it was the weekend away we needed as a couple. I was finally able to relax and just enjoy being with my husband. We haven't really been alone since he came home, so this was definitely needed. Here are some of the pictures that turned out good.

Here are some general pictures from our trip

Top Left is of me at Sloppy Joes for lunch. Bottom left is M, me and our family friend. Top right is just a general picture of people and bottom right is of M and I before we went out.

I got my face painted Saturday before the parade. I am really glad I did it. I think it turned out great. M was great enough to take pictures of the process.

                                                     This is one of my favorite pictures of us.

It was a great weekend. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get away and do something different.

Leaving on a jet plane....well kind of

I would love to say that we have flown somewhere exotic for the upcoming holiday, but alas we are not. We have two small children and have you SEEN the cost of flying??? Oh my! I remember I used to be able to get a flight to Florida for like $150. Now it would cost us a small fortune to fly. So, that means we must drive. Yup that is right. We packed up the kids up and drove 22+ hours to Michigan to see my dad and family for Thanksgiving.

I wasn't sure if we would all survive, but we did!. Thankfully we had a few places to stop on the way up to break the trip up a little. We first stopped in GA to see my favorite Aunt. She also happens to be Lucas' favorite too. He talks about her constantly. It really is cute! And my aunt is really smitten with Lucas too. It's really cute to watch them play together.

We also stopped in Kentucky where my husband went to college. I wish Ft. Campbell was closer to 75 so that I could meet up with a certain lady (ahem.....Jenn), but it is not and my husband is being a pain about getting too far away from 75. Which of course I guess I don't blame him. But it still would be nice. We were able to see where he went to college and where he lived. It was really nice to put a place with the stories. We were also able to meet up with one of his friends for breakfast Sunday morning. It was nice to break up the trip a little. I will say driving at night was sooooo much better. The kids slept and there wasn't a ton of traffic.
We also stopped at Cabela's on our way too. My husband (who is amazing) bought me a Benelli shotgun! I can't wait to use it! It's super light and it's supposed to not break my shoulder. I love going to shoot skeet with my husband, so this should make it more fun. I can't wait.

We will be spending Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family, who I haven't seen in a LONG time. And my grandparents will get to finally meet Baby E (I guess I'm going to have to stop calling her Baby E, because she isn't a baby anymore. She is almost 1!!!!)

We will also be going to a hunt club where my husband will finally be able to go hunting. He hasn't been hunting since we got together. My dad is the president of his Safari club and they take Veterans out hunting quite often, so my dad got M a hunt. They both are very excited for this. I will be in the cabin with the kids, trying to keep them occupied while they are out. :/ Then we will start our trip back.

I am hoping the rest of the trip will go smoothly.
I am REALLY excited for our first family vacation since my husband's return. I am hoping to have LOTs of pictures to share with you once we return. :)

Inspirational Words and a soap box rant

So, I was reading blogs yesterday on my lunch break and came across Mrs K's blog and she had an amazing inspirational quote today.

How amazing is that?? I mean really, when you think about it, it is so simple. Children learn from who they are around and as parents we should be the best role models we can be for our children.

Being a teacher, I wish I could paste this to the forehead of every student. I get so frustrated having parent conferences in which the parents make excuses for their student (example: "he isn't being disrespectful, he just has a loud voice"), or telling us what we want to hear. It really is amazing because once I meet the parent, I can generally tell why a student acts the way they do. Parents are so afraid to parent their children anymore that it scares me for our future. The students I see lately are lazy and entitled. They feel I should GIVE them the answers. They don't want to work for anything and some just flat out refuse to work. The sad thing is as a county I have to accept late work and "not give the student the choice to fail" Those are the words that are in my teacher handbook. I am not allowed to let a student make the choice to fail!!! Really?!?!?! How is that preparing them for high school or the real world? Their boss isn't going to care that they forgot to get something done, or spent 45 minutes trying to find a place they have been going to for 3 weeks straight. They aren't. These kids just don't care and it's scary because that means the parents don't care.
I do work in a lower income area. Most people don't like working in this city. We have I think at least 70% of our students on free and reduced lunch, but I am sorry your economic status should have nothing to do with your motivation and with parents caring about their child's education. Unfortunately it does. Now don't get me wrong, I have some parents that I know if I call them, they will take care of what ever situation is going on at school and the behavior will change. But more often than not I either cannot get a hold of the parent or they just make excuses. If you are just going to make excuses, please just don't answer your phone.

I know that I strive every day to be the best parent I can be. I am not afraid to disipline my child. It is not against the law to spank your child if that is how you want to discipline, but my god.....we HAVE to stop being afraid of our kids and letting them walk all over us!!!! We are not helping them at all by letting them think this is ok behavior.

Sorry for my rant. I tore my students heads off yesterday and today for their disrespectful and lazy attitudes and I am just tired of it. These students are our future and I am scared. But I am helpless to change it because I am mandated to follow the policies put in place by our school board. I can only try and change their way of thinking in the 55 minutes I see them each day.

A HUGE THANK YOU!!!!

I have to start off by saying I’m sorry for unloading so much yesterday and for my pity party. I am doing much better today. I have to credit that with my husband who was there for me yesterday and gave me the much needed hug I had been waiting for. Also for the amazing women who contacted me yesterday with their support. I have to give special shout outs to of course my biffle, who is there for me through everything. My best army wife friend who her phone call yesterday REALLY helped calm me down and helped me to know I wasn’t alone. For that I will be forever grateful. I am so glad I met her and have such a great friend I know I can call and will understand both sides of my life. Also to Jenn, who is amazing and texted me last night. It made my night, especially knowing that someone I only know through this blog was there to support me and to make me laugh. You are amazing Jenn!!!! Also thank you to those of you who left me such nice and supportive comments yesterday. It is amazing to know I have such amazing support from people. It really means the world to me and I cannot express my thankfulness enough to those of you who have supported and are supporting me through this time. I know I will make it through. I just wish I knew what God’s plan for my family was. Yesterday was a day I was really mad at him and wanted to scream at him, but I know he only gives you what he knows you can handle. We will get through this and will be stronger as a family for it.

I continue to hope and pray my husband will get the help that he needs and I will continue to support him as best I can. I am so thankful to my two amazing children that entertained not only me but my grandma last night and helped take my mind off everything. Watching the world through their eyes can sure bring some perspective to your life. I do have a pretty amazing life. Even though I felt the world crashing in on me yesterday, I am lucky. I have two healthy, beautiful well behaved kids, a roof over my head, food in the pantry and a job that I like. I also have a husband that does love me and does like me, even if we hit our bumps; he is always there for me. I just have to remember my blessings and try to not get too caught up in what isn’t life and death. My husband reminds me of this often and to not stress so much. No one is trying to kill us and life is pretty good. I guess being in the sandbox and fighting for your life on a daily basis will put some things into perspective.

But seriously, I really appreciate all of your support during this time. I know God has a plan for us, I just wish I knew what it was.

Thank you again!

Why is life so hard????

I remember when I was in college and I would get overwhelmed I would tell my mom I wish I could just go back to being 10. I felt that was the perfect age. Old enough to do somethings, but really have no responsibilities. Today and for the past week, I really feel that way again. This makes me sad, for one because my life really isn't that bad, just a LOT has happened recently and it's getting me down, and two I know others have it worse. It makes me feel like a horrible person.

I guess I should explain a little more. I just turned 30, that isn't what is really bothering me. For the past week I have felt like my husband doesn't like me anymore. That he really doesn't want to be around me. I know part of it is his back is bothering him again and I believe he is struggling mentally with his PTSD again, but refuses to talk to someone about it or to bring me in on anything that he is thinking or feeling. When I brought this feeling up to him, he pretty much turned it around on me saying I haven't done anything to change it and that I was attacking him. Yup, thank you for making me want to share my feeling with you. He gets made when I don't share things, but when I do he seems to find a way to turn them around and make me feel they are my fault. I cannot help the way I feel. All I wanted was for him to tell me he still likes me and loves me and give me a hug. That is not what I got.

Friday I found out some news that really did not make me happy. Now before I tell you my news, please don't judge me, please if you have mean comments, keep them to yourself. I found out I was pregnant. I don't want to be pregnant again. We had decided on two kids and we are happy with our two. I know many people try YEARS to get pregnant and here I am taking the pill religiously every day and it still happens and I am not happy about it. I thought I was done with this. Why does this have to happen? I don't want this kid to be resented and that is what I am afraid will happen. That is not fair to the child, but it is how I feel.

Also this weekend, my husband and I went to a gun show. I was excited to go with him. We got there and ran into his uncle. It didn't take more than 5 minutes and I was handed the kids and him and his uncle walked off and left me. They walked around, completely ignoring me. When I talked to my husband about it later that night and told him how I felt like he didn't care if I was even there, he told me he looked for me and saw I was outside but didn't mention going out there so he figured fine, she can just wait. Lovely huh? I had the kids and due to the crowding was not able to keep up with them. Not once did he actually look around for me. I'm sure he noticed I wasn't around when he found the gun he wanted to buy and wanted to ask me about it. Why should I be ignored just because his uncle is around? This isn't the first time. He does this any time his uncle is around. Those two have a conversation and never once try to bring me into it, and if I try and offer anything to the conversation, I am ignored and left to deal with the kids.

Why must I feel like this? Why should I have to feel like my husband doesn't even want to be around me? This is fair. Yes I know life isn't fair, but come on. One of the main things I always felt pride in was that my husband liked me and liked to spend time with me. Now, I feel like he couldn't care less about me.

Why is life so unfair?

On top of everything else. We got pulled over last night and given tickets for not wearing our seat belts when we both were!!!!! I ALWAYS wear my seat belt, always and this cop supposedly said he saw mine wasn't on, which is funny because mine is always on. My husband is a large guy, there is NO WAY the cop who never got in front of us or far enough ahead of us to see me, saw me with my seat belt. If he did he would have seen it was on. Then when we tried to talk to him about it, he got all pissy. So we called to file a complaint and pretty much was told by the supervisor that he wouldn't do anything. So, now I have to take another day off of work and fight this crap of a ticket because I'm not just paying the fine. I would have if I was in the wrong, but I wasn't and it pisses me off that he was so rude. I also want to see if there is a way to file a complaint about his professionalism with the county. There has to be. I hate seeing tax dollars wasted by someone who thinks they can throw around their power like this. This is also the same police department that got sued over the death of a women that was taken from her home, someone called in about it seeing the girl in the backseat of the guys car and the the police did nothing about it! Great set of police officers if you ask me.

Ugh!

Why can't life be fair?

I try so hard to do my best and to live my life the best way I can and why is it the nice people and the people who are doing what they should are the ones who get screwed?

Sorry this was such a down post. I just needed to get this off my chest before it ate me alive.

Thank goodness for the health of my kids and the fact they are so well behaved. I know I have a lot to be thankful for, it's just hard to find the the silver lining right now.

Happy Veteran's Day

Today I am thankful for all of the Veteran's. I am thankful for their sacrifice to our country. I am a proud military wife and just wanted to say thank you to all of your spouses for their sacrifices and for the sacrifices that you make as well to support your spouse.
Happy Veteran's Day!

Oops I forgot to write my birthday post

Yup I forgot to write my post for my big birthday this past Monday. Hummmm I wonder if that was deliberate or not. It was interesting, normally I'm a HUGE fan of birthdays. I think everyone should celebrate them and that you should make a huge deal out of people's birthdays. (my husband does not normally share in this idea). Well, this year I turned the big 3-0!!!!! Ahhhh!!! I can't believe it! I can no longer say I'm in my twenties. :( This kind of makes me sad.

I'm sad about it until I think of my life. While it isn't perfect (let's be honest, who's is?) I have a husband who loves me and likes me (always a good thing I think, because you can love someone and not like them), he likes to spend time with me and spoil me. I have two smart, healthy, well behaved children, I have a job that I like (most of the time) a roof over my head and food in the house. I have two AMAZING parents who love me and would do anything for me and my family. So, really turning 30 isn't that bad. Especially when I think back to when I was in college and I never expected to even be married by 30, let alone have kids and a house.

For my birthday my mom made me my favorite dinner and cake on Sunday. We were able to spend the day with her too, which is always a plus in my book. Then on Monday the 5th, my actual birthday I had to work (boo), then had a swallow study done to see if there is anything wrong with my esophagus, then went to Burger King with my biffle and her daughter. My husband was unfortunately at school that night, but he is making it up to me by taking me shopping this weekend :) So, all in all, it was a good day. Nothing too exciting, but for some reason I wasn't in the mood to celebrate it any other way.

So, happy belated birthday to me. I am hoping that this year will be better than the last (hey it has to be, my husband is no longer in the sand box)

Just thought I would share with you all. :)

Show and Tell Monday: Careers

This one looked like fun so I thought I would link up with From Mrs. to Mama and join in the fun!

1. Tell us what you studied in college. Is your job now related to what you studied?
I studied Elementary education. It was my dream to teach 4th grade. I am currently teaching, however I am teaching 7th grade civics and I wouldn't go back to Elementary school for anything. I love this age (I know, most people cannot stand this age) and I love what I do.

2. Tell us what your everyday job looks like.
My everyday job looks like getting to school a little early and getting everything set up, answering emails. Then the students arrive, we do bellwork, I teach, we take notes, do partner or group work, then in 55 mins they leave and I get my next class. I do have two intervention classes. Those are a glorified study hall and take a lot of time and paperwork for me. I am generally spending my time tracking down the student's missing work (because they cannot be counted on to do it, if they could, it wouldn't be missing) then making sure they get the work done and then I turn it into the correct teacher. I also keep up on all of their grades once a week. So, I do that throughout the day. Once a week I must meet with my fellow 7th grade civics teachers and plan with them, then 4:15 rolls around, I go watch my part of the hallway, come back to my room, clean up and shut everything down and am hopefully leaving my room by 4:25. Whew! I don't have much down time during the day, except for my half hour lunch and sometimes my planning period. :)

3. Do you have a picture of you at work? Show us.
Nope sorry. :)

4. In 10 years, what do you see yourself doing? Same thing? More? Tell us.
I see myself still teaching. I am hoping to move to a school closer to my home. I also will hopefully have my masters and will be more comfortable in my curriculum. I've been with the district 5 years now and have not taught the same thing twice. I would really like to teach the same thing again so I can create more interesting lesson plans for my students. With a new curriculum there just isn't the time.

5. Tell us what you have learned, and what {if any} recommendations you may have for those looking to go into the field you are in.
What I have learned about the education field is that it's a pain to deal with parents, administrators (sometimes) and any politician. It's annoying how much control they have taken away from teachers and how much time I spend managing my classroom instead of teaching. I sometimes wonder if my job would be easier if we didn't educate all. Also, if you don't like paperwork or pleasing others, don't go into teaching. There is a TON of paperwork and a TON of trainings to go to. Also, there may be a new "guru" in the district, but he is going to tell you something someone else already did, he will just call it something different. It's amazing how most of the principles we are using today were used and tossed out when I was in school.
Education is a LOT different from when we were in school and I don't necessarily think it's for the better. I love the technology side of it and that can make things fun and interesting, but the respect for teachers is gone and that is sad. Most people don't remember they are where they are today, because of a teacher.
Ok I will get off my soap box now. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and I love my students. I wouldn't change my job for anything, even if it drives me crazy some days. :)
I hope you enjoyed this and I promise I am working on some update posts and will hopefully get those up this week. I promise. :)

Milspouse First Friday Fill-In

1. What’s one thing in the past month you would have changed?

It would probably be enjoying the moments I have with my family instead of always thinking of what has to be done. Most things do not have to be done right that minute and I need to learn to just enjoy those moments. Who knows when we will be separated again and missing out on those moments. I need to remind myself of this daily.

2. What was your favorite thing that happened in October? 

Getting to go to Key West and Fantasy Fest with my husband. It was our first alone trip since he returned and it was much needed. I'm working on my post about it, but I am waiting for some more pictures before I post it. It was a TON of fun!!!!

3. What dish makes the Thanksgiving holiday for you? (Bonus points if you share the recipe.) - Courtesy of  To the Nth

I think the turkey or the mashed potatoes. Those are my two favorite things to eat on Thanksgiving. I'm also a HUGE fan of crescent rolls. 

We are having Thanksgiving at my dad's house this year, so I'm sure things will be a little different. I haven't had Thanksgiving with him in at least 5 years. It will be a nice change. 

4. Check out my post from yesterday... will you be participating in the MilSpouse Secret Santa? 

I am thinking about it. I love Christmas time and I think it would be fun. I just have to decide if I can make the time to do it or not.

5. What are you looking forward to in November?

I am looking forward to our first family vacation to Michigan since my husband's return. My dad is the President of his Safari Club and they take veteran's out hunting every year. My dad was able to get my husband a hunt and we are doing it over that week. I know M is really excited, seeing as he hasn't hunted in about 4 years. I am excited to see my family that still lives up there and for them to see our two beautiful babies. :) I'm not looking forward to the 20+ hour car ride, but hopefully they will sleep most of the way.

Oh I guess I should mention I'm excited for my birthday. Normally I am REALLY excited for my birthdays, but this year I am turning the dreaded :gulp: 30 years old, I'm not looking too forward to it. :( Hopefully it won't be that bad.

Please check back soon for some posts about Fantasy Fest and Halloween! :)