Indication

Today..whew, did not go as planned! The plans were to go to Topeka, fortunately, we don't have to take that trip anymore! This weather is not pleasant, and I am so glad we don't have to venture out in it anymore. I am hoping though, that this day is not an indication as to how my week is going to go, if so, I will be a wore-out, stressed, unpleasant, bitter individual! :(  Not good for my family or the way to spend a birthday weekend!

Bah-Humbug

It's Friday.....I'm supposed to be glad! But that just means one step closer to the weekend, and lots of assignments due! I have three different classes that makes assignments due on Sunday nights. Who the heck does that! Here is what my "To Do List" looks like today:

1. Watch an hour-and-a-half Adobe Connect session

2. Attend an hour class virtually

3. Respond to peers' discussion board posts x6

4. Create a Kansas Day lesson plan

5. Do a quick science experiment and write a paper over it

6. Read a chapter in my science textbook

7. Take a chapter quiz over previously read chapter

8. Read a chapter in my corrections textbook

9. Do dishes

10. Fold laundry

All of these assignments are sooooo time consuming, which leaves zero time to go out and enjoy this BEAUTIFUL weather! My poor daughter :( I took her and a friend to the park yesterday, so I hope she forgives me for my lack of outside activities today..

*cRa-zY!

This past weekend was busier than I had expected, but that could be because I left so much homework for the last minute. Oops! I learned though, I will not be making that mistake this weekend! The only time I get homework time on the weekends is between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and whenever I get done or just plain can't keep my eyes open!

Because I had such a long weekend, I took the day off from school yesterday and pampered myself a bit, it was great! Clothes shopping, getting my nails done, and the dentist (I love getting my teeth cleaned :), especially when I have no cavities). Although, I sort of regret yesterday's wasted time today because I feel so disorganized with my school schedule still, that I'm a little bit stressed. I should have got my to do list made yesterday and watched some online class sessions.....Oh well, I'll make it though :)

This week has only just started, and I feel a little worn down already. That may be because it's so full of activities! Yesterday I had to go to Hays, today I had to go to WaKeeney for a short meeting, and I have to go again Thursday to begin my internships. YaY :o) I also have to get ready to set up my tutoring sessions, hoping to find some students soon! I have LOTS of textbook reading to do this week, boo :( I also have to book a room for next week's trip and remember to rearrange my internship schedule for it, ahh! I may go crazy trying to remember to do all these things, just maybe though. Hopefully, I'll make it through with some sanity left :) Anyways, enough about my crazy week's schedule...I hope the rest of you have a wonderful week!

Terrible, terrible

An hour from now, exactly one year ago, I received the worst phone call ever imaginable. Express Well Service called me telling me Shaun had been hurt. He was hit in the head with a 300 lb. oil pump head, I was frantic. Even now thinking of it, it makes me tear up. I hope I never, EVER have to go through anything like that again.  I love you, Shaun  ♥

¡ORGANIZATION!

During the school year, if it weren't for the millions of lists I make, I don't think I'd be able to stay halfway sane. I make lists about bills, groceries, chores that need to be done around the house, blog ideas, and any upcoming events (such as Payten's birthday party). Besides these, I make lists for school at least three times a week! For school I make lists organized by days an assignment are due, organized by courses, or organized by chapter assignments. The list and assignments schedules change so often, I rewrite my list over lots and lots!....But it helps me out, so my list routine continues!

Baby Beanie

My sweet niece, Khloe, sportin' her CUTE beanie that I got her :)  Yay!! She's so adorable!

*If any of you have sweet little girls out there that you'd love to give this adorable gift to, you can order them off Facebook. The lady I order from is really great, and gets them done soooo quickly! Her page is titled "Baby Beanies by Cole Cole". She can make pretty much whatever you want or she has photos posted on her page for you to choose from! (Another example of her work is the beanie my daughter is wearing in my profile picture.) Everyone loves them! I've got tons of compliments on my daughter's, and given it to friends as a gift.

Correction

After Payten's naptime, I actually found motivation! Do laundry...Check! Laundry folded...Check! Laundry put away...Check! Vacuumed house...Check! Bathroom cleaned...Check! Rooms picked up...Check! Payten's bath...Check! So, yesterday ended up being a pretty good day, not only did I get some new things, but my house was cleaned as well :)  Now, just to do dishes today, yipee. 

On another note, I have not gotten into the swing of things for school yet. Not good. Normally, I have assignments piled up, but this semester is yet to have an assignment due....It seems so odd, and difficult to force myself to remember that school has started! My first assignment is due tomorrow, so I'm hoping doing it today during naptime will help me get back into the swing of things!

Therefore, I am going to make sure I enjoy my last bits of free time by beginning planning for Payten's THIRD birthday party...Already have my list started! I know if I don't start planning now, I'll be so pressed for time due to homework and time constraints, that I'll have to half-ass it later :(  and this CANNOT happen....So, the planning begins!

Addiction Alert

This Sunday has been anything BUT productive....I planned on doing things around the house like folding laundry and vacuuming, since there is no more Chiefs football to watch. :( Unfortunately, that hasn't happened! I've been playing on eBay and having way more fun buying Cricut supplies  :o)  In my opinion, my best purchase was the Disney Princess cartridges, Payten loves any princess themed item! Her birthday is in March, but I am already planning for it! I am so excited to make some princess invitations with these cartridges! I love going overboard for her birthday because she's my everything!! As a side note, I hope those of you, who get a three day weekend, are enjoying it   :)

.....blah.....

The first day of classes did not go so well for this college student, and no, I don't mean I got bombarded with homework or anything like that....Unfortunately, I was struck by a stomach bug, and that little guy got the best of me! Last night around 7:30 I was finally able to eat something, and it was the best chicken noodle soup ever! Compliments to me, of course! (It may have been my sister's recipe, but a very vague recipe, so I did very well, if I do say so myself!) 

 Besides the unlucky health issue, I am ready to get this semester started! Why? Because after this stressful, crazy semester I will be.......STUDENT TEACHING!! And I cannot freakin' wait! I am so excited to get to be in the classroom, everyday! I had so much fun last semester during my two internships, and they were only an hour long. As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be an elementary educator, and I am so thrilled that the end is in sight! I take classes, virtually, through Ft. Hays, and I love, love, love it! Because I live so close, the teachers work with me so well, and understand my situation! (What is my situation? Financially, it works best for me to stay home with my daughter as much as possible, rather than pay for daycare while I attend class. This has worked so great, I like to think it's because of my dedication and organization skills, but I truly think it's because I am such an independent person that I like to go out and do things on my own time. It does take a lot of time management though! Of course, I can't only give credit to myself!! Without my well-behaved daughter, I wouldn't be able to get done half the homework during the day that I do, the support from my family is also very helpful! And getting silly little post cards for making the Dean's Honor Roll is very confidence boosting and encouraging as well!) As much as I know this semester may be stressful (and I know this because last semester was STRESSFUL, and this semester is pretty much a repeat of the same type of classes), I am really looking forward to getting back into the classroom for short periods of time, as well as learning more unique strategies on how to educate students! As much as I look forward to all that knowledge, I must first prepare and organize myself! So, I suppose I best end this posting and get back to filling my planner up with homework due dates.....ugh.

Relaxation-> Over

Unfortunately, my second to last semester's beginning is seeming more of a reality today. I ordered my books last night, my classes appeared on Blackboard today, and tentative homework calendars have been posted. Ahh!! The craziness hasn't even actually began, and I'm already tired. Wish me luck!

Snow Excitement

The snow we have been getting these couple days is the first, real snow Payten has had the chance to actually play in and enjoy. This year she truly gets the concept of going outside to make snowballs, snow angels, and snowmen! I know there wasn't much on the ground yesterday, late afternoon yet, but we still went out to enjoy it some before it got dark out! These are some of the fun things Payten tried for the first time.....

 

Catching snowflakes on her tongue!

 

Throwing snowballs at Mommy!

 

I had her so bundled up, when she went to pick up snow she usually fell over and got stuck! I had to help her up many times  :)

 

Payten thought her tracks in the snow were sooo neat!

 

She had a blast driving her dump truck in the snow as well!

This morning, first thing, Payten checked the window for snow. When she seen how much was out there, and still coming down, I told her we'd go outside to build a snowman later...Payten's response, "Mommy, we don't have any carrots!" Looks like I'll have to get creative, and find something else for our snowman's nose!!  :)

Morning Routine

On a normal morning, Payten wakes me up by placing her face only inches from mine and loudly announcing, "Mommy, I need cartoons, snack, and my milk."  :)  But on the occasional morning, such as today, she just crawls right into bed with me, snuggles up, and goes right back to sleep with me. I love my snuggle-bug ♥

De-Christmastized

Well....Today was an uneventful day around our household! Sadly, the last of the Christmas decorations were put away. Sigh, now to wait a whole year before Christmas music and Christmas lights are acceptable again.  :(  When I worked on putting away these decorations I got a little worn out, more than I've done all break, ha! It didn't take much for me to get worked up, sad, I know. But now I really can't wait to start treadmill shopping next week! On a good note though, while Payten went to daycare for a bit, Mommy took some time to be a bum. Payten had a blast seeing her daycare friends for the first time in this new year! Have a good weekend all  :)

Khloe Lyn Haas

CONGRATULATIONS Todd, Laycie, Kaden, and Konner!!

Weight: 9 lbs 7 oz   Length: 21 1/4 inches

*We were all very excited to meet the FIRST baby girl Haas today!! Even cousin Payten was looking forward to it, once I got the phone call and told Payten that her cousin was here, she quickly responded with "I'm going to go color my new baby cousin a picture!!" That picture was done with great care, taken to Khloe, and now hangs in her hospital room :) Congratulations again Haas family on a beautiful baby girl, this aunt is definitely prepared to spoil her first niece!!

First posting :)

I'm new at this, but this year I want to try and share with others my family's everyday life through this blog. I want to keep those both near and far from us updated on our busy lives!! Payten will most likely be the main subject in many of the posts on this blog, but that's alright because she's the shining star of our lives  :) Now...For the first true blog post!!