Tuesday Tidbits

Last night I did something I haven't done in over a year.  I went back to Zumba.  I had every intention of sticking with Zumba throughout my pregnancy with Mr. Adorable.  I was committed, I was ready, I was excited.  And then, I was sick.  With Diva, I had morning sickness for 7 months.  I thought that was pretty bad, and that it couldn't be worse.  Well, Mr. Adorable decided to show me that it could be worse.  I was sick every.single.day. of my 36 weeks of pregnancy with him.  So, between being sick, tired, commuting, working, and caring for Diva, Zumba got dropped like a hot potato.

Right now I am off for the summer, and D is between jobs and recovering from hand surgery.  I have a bit more opportunity to get out and exercise, so I decided to suck it up and get back to something I enjoy. 

I could tell it had been a while since I had left Mr. A to go and do something for myself.  As I was heading out the door, I told D to try to hold off on nursing until I got back.  He obviously said "No problem", since nursing isn't his thing, it's mine.

I barely made it to class on time.  In fact, they had started, so I scurried into the back corner of the room.  I ended up in front of a giant fan. Score!  Just as I felt like I might die (this was my first attempt at real exercise in a loooong time), I realized we were halfway through.  I love Zumba!  I love the workout, and I love that while I am doing it, I feel hawt.  In actuality, I am just hot. And sweaty.  And not as coordinated as half of the Zumba gals.  But still, I enjoy myself, and there are plenty of forms of exercise that I can't say that about. (I only run when chased by dogs.)

Anybody there? Bueller?

Wow, I've been gone a long time. Life changed pretty dramatically after the last time I posted (over a year ago).  Diva has finished kindergarten, and is on her way to first grade.  I'm still teaching Special Education and loving it.  We've moved into a slightly bigger place. And we had this guy-

Mr. Adorable was born on December 9th, 2011.  He was four weeks early due to another fight with pre-eclampsia.  His entrance into the world took a toll on both of us, but we came out of it like champs and were home with Diva and Daddy-o a week later.  Mr.Adorable will be 7 months old tomorrow.  He's a wild man, he knows what he wants and how to get it, and he's an adventurer!  We are loving every minute of being a family of four.  If only Mr. Adorable would start sleeping through the night, life would be perfect!

I have tons to say, and haven't been coming to my place to say it, so plan on seeing me around!

Tuesday Tidbits

*Tomorrow I return to work, and Diva returns to preschool. Vacation is officially over. Hello, 5 am. Not that waking at 5 am is anything new (thanks to my early bird), but there's a big difference between being home and half awake, and making an hour long commute with a loquacious 5 year old.

* We had meatloaf muffins for dinner. I have to pimp the meatloaf muffin for a second. Once I discovered the joys of meatloaf in a muffin tin, I haven't gone back to the loaf. I love the way they cook faster (way convenient now that we get home later), I love the portion control, and if there is a way for a lump of meat to actually be kind of cute, this is it. (Sorry vegetarians, don't hate me!)

*I tried Zumba last night for the first time! I LOVED it. I can see how an addiction can easily form. The music was awesome, the instructors were fabulous, and it was so. much. fun. I think I finally found the work out that was made for me. I am committing to going at least once a week, and twice a week when D is home in time. Love me some Zumba!

Happy Tuesday, Y'all! (Now that it's almost over). It is kind of nice to think I'll be starting my work week half way through!

Is this thing on?

I completely disappeared from blog land, and I am trying to make a comeback. Or in the words of LL Cool J, "Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years." And I have. Been here for years. However, I kind of lost my knack for blogging as I dove into my new job, my new commute, and my continuing job of being the mom to one precocious, charming, and quite exhausting 5 year old. Yes, 5. I can not believe that Diva is 5. It seems surreal. We recently registered her for kindergarten, another surreal act. As I downloaded the forms, I cried. I. Am. Not. Ready.

I am loving my job. Although I've been a teacher for 10 years, there are parts to this particular job that are new to me, and I think that's a good thing. I'm learning, and I love what I do. I always thought I needed to have my own classroom to truly be happy teaching, but it just isn't so. I have found that I like that my days are varied, and that I am always on the go.

I've missed blogging, so I am going to try to give it a go, yet again. I also have a TON to catch up on with all of the blogs I read. I'm hoping to find some moments here and there to get it all in!

Hello!!

Wow, I promised to get back into blogging regularly and I failed. Things have been insanely busy here, but in an insanely awesome way!

I GOT A JOB!!!!! Yes, I had to shout it! Just when I was starting to feel lower than low, just when I was thinking I may have to go in a whole new direction, things turned around. I applied for a 4th grade special educator position, and got a call on a Thursday to interview the next day. It turns out they had interviews set up, and when they got my application they decided to add me into the interview line up. I was the last interview, at 3:00 pm on Friday the 13th. At the end of the interview, the Special Services Director (my boss), leaned toward me and said, "I just have to tell you, you have interviewed beautifully. On Monday I got the call saying I was the top candidate and they would love for me to accept the position!! I started attending professional developments that Wednesday, and kids came back the following Wednesday. It has been one wild ride! I found out later that the interview team wanted to offer me the job right then and there, but decided to do things the "right" way and check my references. I am refreshing on evaluations and paperwork, since although I've been a teacher for a while now, this is my first year as a Special Educator. So far I love my job. The school community is amazing, and it feels like a perfect fit. The only downside is that I have a commute. It's not an issue at all right now, but winter will be tough. It's so worth it to me though, this job feels meant to be. Also, for the first time since 2008, my whole family has health insurance again!!

The Diva is starting at a new preschool not far from my job on Tuesday. I just couldn't bear to have her far from me, should anything happen, or should she need me. The preschool seems fabulous, and the director/Diva's teacher is a certified teacher. It turns out that she taught 10 minutes from where I taught in FL, in the same school district. She is from VT and she and her husband moved back here the same summer we did. Also, (not that it matters but I thought it was another weird coincidence) her husband is black. There were just all of these weird parallels in our lives. She comes highly recommended by my coworkers and she is really excited about the fact that Diva is writing and starting to read. I feel like this will be a great year for Diva, as this is her final year before Kindergarten!

I wanted to share my happy news, and I hope that life settles down a teeny tiny bit, and that I will be able to blog more often. I hope all is well in your worlds!

A Different Color

Today while teaching 3rd grade summer school, I had my cell phone out on the table, as I was using it for the stopwatch for running records. A picture of Diva is displayed as my wallpaper. One of my students looked down at the picture on the phone....

Student: Is that your daughter?
Me: Yes, it is.
Student: She's a different color than you.
Me: Yes, she is.


That's as far as the conversation went. I could see the little girl trying to comprehend. I guess I could have elaborated, but it really took me by surprise. Most of the time I don't even think about the fact that Diva's skin is darker than mine. She's just my Diva. After class, I looked at the picture again, thinking to myself, "Really? Is it really that obvious that Diva is "a different color?" Of course it is obvious to the naked eye, but she's not just a "different color", she's my baby. When I look at her, I see the brightness in her eyes (that are a deep brown like D's but shaped like mine). I see the perfect combination of mine and D's nose, and I see my chin. I see D's long eyelashes and distinguished eyebrows. But most of all, I see the precious little person who I am blessed to call my daughter. I guess it's just another reminder that we all see things differently.

Meal Plan Monday

Okay, getting back into the swing of things. This week we are eating

Italian sausages and potato salad
Grilled tilapia, summer squash, and rice
Bbq chicken (in the crock pot), mashed potatoes, tossed salad
Swedish meatballs (in the crock pot) over wide egg noodles
Salsa chicken (in the crock pot)


There's a whole lot of crock potting going on here this week!

Happy Monday!