Thanks Meagan!

You may now leave comments on my blog... if you so desire. (I think)

Help!

I have been receiving complaints that people can't leave comments on my blog... does anyone know how to fix that? I think it happened after I put the wall paper up the first time. I tried changing the wall paper and it just made my page more wacky.

Back to school

So, I have had an email in my email inbox for literally 2 1/2 years. I have it flagged and everything. I even attempted to read it a few times. The email is explaining (in legalistic jargon) the steps I need to take in order to renew my teaching license. I have been getting more and more stressed about it needs to be done before my birthday in June. I finally sat down and read the thing. I did not like what I read at all so I called TSPC (Teacher Standards and Practices Csomething) and they confirmed what I had hoped was not the case... I have to go back to school. Apparently, once you get your Initial Teaching License you need to take 4.5 semester credits of Graduate level coursework. The idea behind this is that all teachers in OR have 5 years or something to complete a Master's. The two classes in order to get renewed is supposed to help those teachers along. Unfortunately for me, I already have a Master's. My program was just unbelievably stupid and didn't have us apply for our license before we received it. Therefore, since I did not complete two classes AFTER my license was issued, I now have to go back to school. I honestly don't mind doing the coursework. It will be a huge pain, but it is all online. Being a stay-at-home mom now actually makes it easier than when I was working. The part that really makes me mad is that I have to now pay to go to school again. $ 2,500 for TWO classes. I am trying very hard not be totally stressed about that. Originally, I was thinking "this is perfect, Nick works at Corban and I can get my tuition break and no big deal." Wrong. Apparently, Corban doesn't do tuition breaks for graduate level classes. So I am stuck paying 2,500 bucks. Not only that, but I have to apply for the school which means gathering transcripts and letters of recommendation and everything. Urg. No fun. The real kicker- I don't even ever want to teach. I just think it is ridiculous to let something like a teaching license lapse when it could open some doors for me in the future. It definitely broadens the scope of what I can do. At least I don't have to worry about getting my Master's in a few years...

Still Alive

Today was my first solo day of having two kids. It went pretty well. Elie was really happy to have some normalcy again. She also seemed a little sick, so was really low energy (pretty nice) and we spent about 2 hours reading today. Lainey prefers not to be put down, but did manage a short stint in the swing. Thanks to Amy, I didn't have to make dinner. Lainey sleeps pretty well at night which I am unbelievably grateful for. I have only been getting up with her twice in the night and I can usually sleep through the bulk of it. I don't know why I am so exhausted still every morning. I definitely spent more time awake with her while I was preggo.

Just a few pix

Well, I have two kids now. It happened so fast and early that I am still in a bit of shock. (I will get around to posting the story in a bit) My due date is tomorrow, and I could not be happier that I was not made to wait until then. So far it is going well. I have discovered that I forgot the meaning of exhaustion. The saddest part is that I know it will get worse. Nick is here now and I can sleep whenever the fancy strikes me during the day. But Lainey is unbelievably sweet (with a little bit of sass) and Elie adores her. Life could not get much better.

Blessings and Discouragement

wow does my face look unbelievably round in that picture or what?!



Three generations of mothers= 16 births (almost 17!)


I had my blessingway yesterday. I felt very loved. Thank you to the wonderful women and mothers who were there and especially for Kari for making sure that I got one. I thoroughly enjoyed not having the traditional shower where I was expected to be the center of attention.

After everyone left I started having some pretty major contractions. The contractions were coming every 20 minutes so obviously I started getting very excited. After 2 1/2 hours of absolutely no changes I tried to go to sleep to no avail. I ended up sleeping a total of 3 hours last night because my contractions were intense enough that I couldn't sleep through them. I also was very discouraged because I thought I would have a baby today.