NOW, it is the end of a decade

Last year, I wrote a blog entry titled End of a decade. Well, that was wrong as it was the end of nine years. Now, it is the end of a decade. I began my reflection of the year earlier this week. I reviewed some areas which need correction, I smiled at the areas of improvement, and I heightened my expectation of the year to come.

Things have really been good this year. I have gained so much experience teaching that I will be a full-time faculty member in January. That is so awesome. I really enjoy teaching.

NyCee will be five (5) years old in March. We will be going to DisneyWorld to celebrate the grand event. I do not know exactly when yet because I am waiting for the terms of my contract to complete negotiations. Then I will now how much vacation time I will be allotted and so forth.

Tyler will be three (3) in April. I do not know what I will do for his birthday yet. I am so proud of him. He has spent two weeks at daycare without using pull-ups. His teacher sent home the pull-ups stating that he doesn't need them. She even talked to him about not wetting the mat at nap time. So he sleeps in his big boy bottoms and has not had any accidents. YAY!!!

I am on the countdown for completing my coursework. Eight classes and then comprehensive exams. The year 2012 will be devoted to writing and defending my dissertation. I am about a year away from being Dr. Dayna Carlisle Thompson. (I am still trying to decide which name I will put on my degree. The other two have Thompson.)

For the inquiring minds, I do not yet know what will happen with "my friend" and I. We talk about being together, marriage, family, etc. But we have not prayed about it together to see if that is what God has for us. Whatever the course, he is an amazing person and I am honored to be part of his life. He encourages me to push pass my pre-conceived limits.

Do not take old junk into the new year. Put that junk in a box, seal it with the blood of Jesus, and keep it moving forward. Expect great things and set yourself up for the great things to happen. Life can happen or you can choose to let the Master guide you towards your destiny.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

He Shoots! He Scores!

My friend sent Christmas gifts to the kids. Apparently, UPS was backed up with its' deliveries because the packages should have been here the day before Christmas. A girl at work stated it took nearly 10 days for her daughter to get a package she mailed using UPS.

The kids were so excited to see the boxes. I told them they had surprises waiting for them at home. NyCee's gift is a Tinkerbell Laptop computer. It is such an awesome system. It is not really a toy because it is so advanced. There are many different levels of learning that teaches things such as matching, plural words, words that are the same such as dog and puppy, spelling, music, etc. She enjoyed playing with it.

Tyler LOVED the basketball hoop. He repeatedly kept shooting baskets. At one point, he walked into the kitchen, got the step stool, placed it in front of the basket to dunk the ball. Then he backed it up to make three-pointer shots.
Both kids asked for more playtime when I told them it was time for bed.

Christmas 2010

Tyler woke up around 730a. I actually work up earlier than the kids. I let them sleep and I began cleaning the garage. I heard the recycle truck in the neighborhood and was quite giddy. So I gathered as much as I could to get the can out front. While in the garage, I heard Tyler calling my name.

Tyler went into NyCee's room and started calling her name. "Sissy, time to get up." I walked in and asked if she were ready to see what Santa brought. She popped up and asked, "Is it Christmas?" I smiled and said, "Yes."

She walked out of her room and said, "Okay, everyone remain calm. We are going to see what Santa brought." I snicked to myself.

As I walked behind the kids, NyCee hit the top of the stairs, looked out and saw the Christmas Tree. She paused and whispered, "OH - MY - GOSH! That just what I wanted." Then she and Tyler ran down the stairs.

Like last year, Tyler clung to one toy. He saw the Thomas the Train and that is where he stopped. He was so excited about the train that he didn't want to open any other toys.

This was the first year that I wrapped the kids' gifts. NyCee had a blast ripping off the paper. Tyler needed help getting the concept of ripping off the paper.




But he finally, got the hang of it. We went to the movie theatre to see Gulliver's Travels. Tyler liked the movie. NyCee did not. NyCee just wanted to return home and play with her computer game.

God has been very, very good to us this year. I am honored to have had the opportunity to celebrate His Son's birthday. Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve 2010

We attended Candlelight Service tonight at church. The kids received Christmas clothes from their Aunt Camille.

After service, we came home, had dinner, tooks baths and showers, then relaxed to a movie. I spent yesterday and today cleaning the house for Christmas. We are ready for the big day.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Saturday Morning Hike

JD (in the yellow shirt and black pants) will be four on Tuesday, December 21, 2010. We celebrated his birthday at Usary Park. The kids went on a nature hike and a scavenger hunt.

It was a beautiful day. I actually enjoyed the hike. I would like to take the kids there again but would have to first learn the area. It would be too easy to get lost on a trail without some guidance.

Both kids made it home without falling asleep in the car. But after baths, it was wrap! I think they were asleep before their heads hit the pillows.

"What the Hell?"

I have a really bad habit of using the word "hell" in pretty much any sentence. (Let me preface: I do not use big swear words. "F", "S", "D," nor do I use the word "hell" towards my kids. It is in general conversation.) For example:

"What the hell is that about?"

"Where the hell are my keys."

"That is dumb as hell."

You get the point. So I picked up the kids from the sitter the other day and she told me NyCee was playing with a stuffed pony and exclaimed, "What the hell?" I busted out laughing because I would totally say that.

So keeping in the theme of this post, I told NyCee to get pjs out of the drawer and put them on her body. I went downstairs to finish dinner. NyCee came down the stairs exclaiming that she followed my instructions. I turned around and saw this:


What the hell is she wearing? My child knows how to match her pjs. All I could do was shake my head and laugh.

Night Time Wanderer

"Mommy. Mommy. Where are you?" He bellows out at nearly 3a.

I walk into his room and notice his bed was empty. I walked into NyCee's room and he was not there.

"Bubba where are you?"

"I am down stairs."

I have no idea what made him walk down stairs at 3a. I have a night light in the kitchen so he must have followed that light down the stairs. After he walked back up the stairs, I put him back in his bed. He asked, "Mommy, you lay down with me for a while?" "No, bubba. You are a big boy and can sleep in your own bed."

Side Thought: My oldest nephew turned 18 today. I was thinking about him when he was NyCee's age. Time really does fly by.

"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." James 4:13-14

Be sure to value everyday with those you love. Remember to tell those around you that you love and appreciate them.

All they NEED for Christmas

Why spend money on the toys when they will play with the box that stores the Christmas decorations?

New Tradition

As a child, my family used to put up the Christmas tree the weekend of my father's birthday. In explaining that to my "friend" he stated, "We need to start a new tradition because that is your daddy's birthday not mine." That, combined with my children's constant request to put up the tree, I broke down and put it up Sunday afternoon. We have contingently agreed to put up the Christmas tree the first weekend after Thanksgiving. That would be the week after his family and the week before my family's tradition.

The kids helped put the bulbs on the tree and of course they were all around the bottom. HAHAHA! The tree skirt is so cute. It has little shoes around the bottom. Thursday, I have to have my braces tightened. I am going to get purple and gold rubber bands to match the Christmas tree. How fun!!!?!?!?!!

Tyler was having a little trouble finding his happy. When he was told to remove himself from the picture, his happy quickly returned.

Too Smart

I put Christmas lights around the fireplace on Thanksgiving Day. This afternoon, Tyler walked over and plugged in the lights saying, "Mommy, Christmas lights not on." I gently explained that he cannot plug items into the wall and the he needs to get mommy. The irony, he has not attempted to do that with anything else. He just wanted to see the Christmas lights.

Oh, did I mention it was like 1p in the afternoon? The kids have yet to get the concept that the lights should be on at night. Oh well.

Thanksgiving Day 2010

Whether we think so or not, we have so much for which we should be thankful. The mere fact that you are reading this entry confirms you are better off than someone else. I am thankful for the two cute cuddly little ones in the photo. They are healthy, smart, developing well, and just a joy.

(After getting dressed, Tyler walked downstairs, went into the cabinet, grabbed the bag of cereal and began eating. He was then joined by his sister.)

I am thankful for my family. Although they are miles away, I was able to see all of them using Skype this evening. I am thankful to have "a friend" who is caring and hard working. He thinks of me and the kids and does alot to help make things easier for me. He spent the holiday with his family in Fort Myers, FL but he called several times to check on us throughout the day.

I am thankful for my church that teaches me so many life principles to help me grow and develop. I am thankful for the people in my life who are friends and love me and the kids in a healthy way.

Although I work three (3) jobs and am putting myself through school, I am thankful that I had the opportunity to pursue a higher education to open doors for me. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to pursue a doctorate degree.

And the list could go on and on. Let us learn to look at the positive things in our lives which is how God views us. Choose to be continually thankful.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies."
Psalm 107:1-2

"You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.

29 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever."
Psalm 118:28-29

"I am thankful for..."

NyCee's Pre-K class completed a Thanksgiving Day project. It was a necklace with leaves showing three things for which she is thankful. I was so touched to see she stated she was thankful for her mom. The sixth grade class serves as buddies to the pre-k class and helped them write the items onto the leaves.

The kids had a Thanksgiving Day celebration and the parents were allowed to attend. The kids played Turkey Bingo with M & M candies. After that, they sung a son about a turkey being a good pet. It was so cute.

NyCee is in the front wearing the purple jacket.

She really enjoys going to school and is developing so well. She has fun "reading" to Tyler and teaching him colors. I am so pleased with her development.

"Because Why"/Upcoming Changes

Little Fred has joined the world of "Because Why" mommy. When instructed to carry out a task, he responds, "Because why." When told it is time for a bath, he replies, "Because why?" When told to clean the playroom, he responds, you guessed it, "Because why."

He is such a smart little boy. He can identify colors and is starting to count. His potty training is coming along nicely. He actually stays dry at home. When he is with the sitter, she says he doesn't tell her when he has to use the bathroom. At home, he does not use pull-ups. I only let him use them when we go to church or he is at her house.

Upcoming Changes
Beginning, December 20th, the kids are going back to a daycare facility. I found one close to the school NyCee is scheduled to attend for Kindergarten. I am learning to move quickly when seasons change in my life. I knew about a year ago the kids needed to go back into a facility full time. But the cost factor is no joke. This time, I embraced the season and trust God to meet the need. The bible tells us, 'God supplies all are needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.' Therefore, ensuring I have a means to pay for daycare is God's job. My job is to be obedient and move when He prompts me to move.

Dealing with in-home care has advantages and dis-advantages. The biggest issues relate to Tyler's potty training, nap time, and schedules. She wants me to accommodate her family's schedules by working certain hours or picking up my kids from different locations. It just got to be too much. There are days when she can't keep them and it costs me too much money to keep finding alternate care. Besides, Tyler needs to be around other kids and begin to develop socially.

Once I secure my full-time teaching job, NyCee will go back to pre-K and Tyler will remain at the day care. It will be cheaper for me to have NyCee in school and Tyler in full-time daycare than it is right now. God is so smart! I love following His plan. We do not see the big picture at the time but we know that by following each step, it comes more into focus.

"Me" Moments

I have developed the habit of having daily "me" moments. After I put the kids in bed, I take a hot bath with a cup of cocoa. It is fabulous. Just a way to decompress from the day. I am usually in there for about 20-30 minutes. Once I am done, I am relaxed and can complete the rest of my tasks for the evening. It is a small thing but big help to keeping me balanced and stress free.

Mommy's Big Helper

A couple of days ago, I woke up the children in the morning to get ready to leave for the sitter's house. Little Fred decided he was going to have a "moment." After he used the potty, I had to escort him to his room so that he could find his happy and get dressed. NyCee walked into the bathroom to get her face washed and teeth brushed. Without prompting, she lifted the seat on Little Fred's potty, dumped the pee-pee into the big toilet, washed out the seat, and replaced it perfectly into his potty chair. I was so proud of her for completing a task without being told to do so. (Normally, I would have done it as soon as he finished but we had to take a trip to help him find some happy.)

That is amazing for a 4 year old to accomplish such a big task without prompting and she did it with excellence.

For several weeks, she had been asking for a pillow pet. I was going to get it for Christmas. Instead, I bought it Friday night as a surprise gift to her. She earned it.

Compliment

I took the kids to IHOP this evening for dinner. I do that a couple of times a month to get them adjusted to eating in restaurants. Overall, they did well. Tyler became a little impatient while waiting for his "Chicken Fries" (chicken strips and french fries).

There was an older couple sitting across the way from us. I marvel at couples who have been married for years. I watched the husband has he still looked adoringly at his wife. When their meals were complete, the woman walked up to me and said, "I just want you to know that you have well-behaved children. You deal with them very well." She then turned to the children and said, "You have a wonderful mom." Both kids said, "Thank you."

I nearly cried because I felt they were a bit disruptive. Tyler had a bit of a "moment" but he corrected himself fairly quickly. A couple of times they were loud and had to be reminded to use indoor voices. It is hard to not think of myself as a bad mother. I get so irritated at times when I just want silence. Instead of silence I hear, "Ma, may I have this. Ma, Tyler hit me. Ma, Sissy took my toy." Besides, no one tells me I am good mom so sometimes I feel like I am not. However, a friend told me, "If you think you are a bad mom, then you are a fabulous mom. Bad moms do not care and do not think they are bad moms."

That was a very truthful statement that has stuck with me. Bad moms do not buy Christmas toys beginning in September. Bad mothers do not forgo their own needs to ensure their children have Hananah Montana and Spiderman bed sheets. Bad mothers do not work 3 jobs to support their children. Bad mothers do not pursue a higher level of education to make a better life for their children.

I am a pretty good mom!

"5 Minutes"

This morning, I walked into Tyler's room to wake him up. When I pulled the blanket back from off his head, he whined, "No mommy. Five more minutes."

Who knew a two year old would make such a declaration?

Harvest Festival Weekend

(Sorry the pictures are late)
On Thursday, October 28, 2010, NyCee's class had a carnival. I went to her school for the last hour of the day be a parent helper.

Saturday night was harvest festival at church. The kids enjoyed bounce houses, games, face painting and crafts. NyCee couldn't find her wand and Tyler lost his hat. But they had a good time. The candy has been rationed out as treats when warranted.

POW!

I received a text message earlier today that Tyler fell and hit his eye. At one point, the swelling had gone down. He laid down for a nap and when he woke up, it was swollen again. Apparently, he was playing, fell on the ground and scrap his eye.

When I picked him up, his eye was nearly swollen shut. I took him to the doctor's office but it is only a surface laceration and no vision damage. He is all boy. Takes a lickin' keeps on tickin'. He was playing and singing earlier this afternoon with NyCee. You would not be able to tell that by the look on his face.

Pumpkin Farm 2010

This morning we went to the Pumpkin Farm. We were meeting some friends there at 9:00a. Of course this is the one Saturday where both kids were still sleeping after 7:00a. I actually had to wake them up for breakfast. (I thought long and hard about NOT going. I was exhausted.)

But we went and it was a beautiful October morning. The sky was a perfect blue with just a few wisps of clouds in the sky. It reminded me of why I live in Arizona.


The kids ran over to the hay maze and started walking through it. Tyler took the lead and NyCee was close behind him.

At some point, NyCee got in front of Tyler and decided to jump over the hay in an attempt to exit. Looking back, I should have used that instances as a teachable moment for the kids. Not to cheat or cut corners just to try and finish something. (Of course, I did not have that conversation with them at the time. )

After a light snack, the kids played in a big pile of hay. At one point, NyCee started saying, "Jump Tyler. C'mon!"

The kids selected pumpkins to decorate. We spent a few minutes doing that and then went on a tractor ride.

Tyler was exhausted and fell asleep in the car. We came home, at lunch, took baths and showers. Now, we are just chilling waiting until it's time to get ready for church to start.

The End of a LONG week

This was a crazy week. Besides me being ridiculously tired, my children have kept me busy. Earlier this week, my two little geniuses were eating dinner outside on the patio. After dinner, they played for a while before bath time. After I watched the news, I walked outside to find that they had pulled the table from under the patio over to the 6 foot brick wall at the end of the yard. Frederick was standing on top of the table and Taylor handed him toys which he proceeded to pitch over the wall into the neighbor's yard. I am not sure how long this had been going on but when I looked over the wall, 1/2 the toys were in his yard.

I could not even think. I barely whispered, "Go into the house and got to your rooms." NyCee started crying. Tyler walked with his head down and I stood there looking up to heaven to see if Jesus was laughing.

That was the final straw of a chain of events. The other things are not worth mentioning. Just life issues. But I really wanted to run away and join the circus. I am actively disengaged from every responsibility that I have. I have no idea what grade I have in my class. My assignments are being submitted late. I have apologized to my professor and explained that I do not have any motivation for school. I will not quit but I am exhausted.

On a positive note: I have started working out five days a week. I enjoy working out. It's a stress reliever and I have found that I have more energy.

M.J.

I have nick named NyCee "M.J." which stands for Mama, jr. She tells me everything that her brother is doing. But more importantly, she feels the need to give her brother directions even after I have given the instructions.

For example, on the way home, Tyler wanted something and attempted to have a tantrum. NyCee replied, "Bubba, we are happy people. So you get what you get and you don't have a fit. Right mom?" And do not let him do something he was not supposed to do. She cries out, "Bubba, I am telling. Ma, Buddy did such & such!" She reminds me of the character Dee from the 19070s TV show - What's Happenin'?

Cover - Up

This is classic!! I have no idea how long he slept with the covers over his head.

Moments in Love

I enjoy looking at photos like these when I am able to capture the moment. They are such fun-loving kids. They really do not fight alot and play well together.

It never ceases to amaze me that NyCee doesn't want Tyler to sleep in her bed; yet, that is where he is most mornings. He has learned to ask if he can sleep in her bed. She usually replies, "Well, okay, Tyler. You can sleep in my bed." It's really cute.

Although it is tiring raising two kids on my own, I am glad that I have two. They entertain each other.

"Mommy, I strong!"

No Accidents

Tyler has really picked up the momentum on potty training. I started the following process:
1) piece of skittles candy if he pee-pees in the potty
2) if he tells me and pee-pees in the potty.
3) if he poops in the potty.

For the past three (3) days, he has been in big boy bottoms in the evenings at home and has not had any accidents. As soon as we get in, I give the kids baths. Instead of a diaper, he wears bottoms. For the past two days, he has been telling me that he had to go potty. He says, "potty mommy," pulls down his own bottoms and goes to the potty.

He even woke up at 3:30a crying, "mommy, I go potty." I walked him to the potty, he went pee-pee and then got back in his bed and went back to sleep. Last Sunday afternoon, he fell asleep in his big boy bottoms and woke up dry. This weekend, I plan to let him sleep in them during nap time and see how he does. In the morning, he cries because I have to put a diaper on him. By the end of October, he should be completely potty trained.

I received the toy dog as a birthday gift from a friend in San Antonio. The character is from the movie UP . The dog in the movie talks. In the middle of a conversation, if a squirrel runs by, the dog says, "Squirrel" and then runs off to chase the squirrel. After doing so, he then comes back and finishes his conversation. (I do that ALL the time!) Now, when my thoughts go side track of the focus of the conversation, I will say "squirrel" and then follow the bunny trail conversation. The dog doesn't say the word "squirrel" which would have made the gift even better.

Nonetheless, Little Fred calls the dog "puppy" and NyCee just wants to strap the dog into the seat belt with her while riding in the car. Her philosophy: "everyone has to have a seat belt in the car."

Cari's Tribute

One year ago today, Cari left her body to be present with Jesus. I think about her whenever I see a pink ribbon on hear about ways to sponsor breast cancer research. Please do what you can to support breast cancer research. When I go to my local grocery store, I spend an extra $1 to get a pink ribbon and I write Cari's name on it. $1 may not seem like much but when it is combined with several other $1 bills, it can do a lot!

Please continue to pray comfort in the lives of Melvin (husband), Cameron, Max, and Ella. I am sure they miss her more than we can imagine. I miss her. I miss reading her stories on the blog about the children's antics, or enduring the summer time bug outbreak in Minnesota.

We miss you Cari!

Weekly Update

Nothing really to update. I am teaching, in school, and just finished working Singles' Conference at church this past weekend.

Tyler is doing better with potty training. He pooped in his bottoms this evening. I hesitate to write that it was an accident. He was hiding in the playroom and didn't come when I called his name. Therefore, he knew he was in trouble.

NyCee is back in school this week. She was unable to attend last week as her care giver was out of town. My work schedule does not permit me to take her to school. However, I will have a full -time faculty position before the end of the year. I expect to transition into the role in the next 5 - 6 weeks. Yippee! Then, I will be able to take NyCee to school.

For all those inquiring minds about my dating life, well, not much to tell there. D. D. is still around but we are not really dating. We chit-chat maybe a couple of times a week. None of the conversations are deep. Most do not last longer than 20 minutes. No other suitors have approached me. So, the kids and I are just doing our thang!

I am so excited to begin reading a book by T. D. Jakes titled, "Help! I am raising these kids alone." Because, well, "HELP, I AM RAISING THESE KIDS ALONE!" hahaha!

Getting the hang of it...

Mommy had to up the ante to get this whole potty training thing on lock. I bought a pack of Starburst and would give him a piece of one little square when he went to the potty. Well today, I bought skittles as they are easier to deal with. Little Fred went to the potty about 500 times. He would say, "Mommy, I get candy." Mommy would ask, "What are you supposed to do to get candy?" "Put pee-pee in potty. Mommy, I pee-pee potty."

He would then walk into the bathroom, pull down his big boy bottoms and sit on the potty. Each time, he would use the potty. Now, it may have been like a 1/2 a drip but he used the potty. Therefore, I would reward him with one skittle out of the package.

Before bath, he kept saying "Poo-poo potty." So, he would sit on the potty and nothing would happened. Well about 20 minutes later, he put poo-poo in the diaper. Once we get the pee-pee thing handled, then we will up the ante of skittles to (3) skittles if he puts poo-poo in the potty.

Charmer

"Tyler, may you please come to mommy."

"I'll be right back sissy. Okay? right back."

He walks into my room with a smile on his face.

"Yes, mommy."

"Are you in your own bed?"

"Ummm, no mommy." As he gives the cutest little grin.

"May you please get in your own bed and go to sleep."

"Own bed mommy?"

"Yes, son. Your own bed."

"Okay mommy."

I state, "Yes, mom." Neither one of the children are allowed to reply with "Okay." They are to respond: "Yes, mom."

"Yes, mom." As he smiles and walks away.

Five minutes later, he walks into my room with his lips puckered in the kissing position. I grab him by the hand and walks him back into his room. I sit on the bed and say, "Son, you chose to be disobedient. Mommy explained that you are not to get out of the bed. When you chose to be disobedient, you choose the consequence for that action."

"Sorry mommy. Sorry mommy. May I have kisses?" With his lips puckered.

I give him a kiss and he smiles and goes to bed. He is quite the charmer already.

Expressions

This was Little Fred's dinnertime protest. He even threw in a pouty lip for the scene.

Rounding Out the Week

So, we are still working on this whole potty training thing. Tyler does really well with going to the potty when I take him. He just doesn't tell me when he has to go. But he gets so excited when he does put "pee-pee in the potty" that I do not want to stop the process. His caregiver thinks he is too young. I completely disagree given his vocabulary and abilities. I refuse to lower my standards. Tyler is a smart, resourceful, little boy. But this has been going on for two months. Son, we really need to get this potty thing on lock.

NyCee completed her first week of Pre-K. I am so glad that I made the decision to put her in school this year. Her teacher is amazing and NyCee has fit right in to the school swing of things. She gets so excited to tell me what happens in school. She talks about using her manners and the color of the day. Seeing her face light up is worth it.

Today, she asked for a snack and I told her she could have a nutragrain bar. She walked over to the cabinet and got two (2) bars out of the container. I reminded her to only get one bar. She said, "No mommy, this one is for you. Remember you said you were hungry." Little things like that remind me that I am a good mom and doing a great job raising my children.


As for me, the dress I am wearing in this picture was a birthday gift from the Houston Campus director team. They are a great group of people. My co-workers often make comments about the gifts that I receive from my customer base. The principle is really very simple: I give other people value. I empower them towards success without looking for a reward in return. God will reward my efforts as long as I have the right heart. Hence is why people sow into my life according to my love language: gift - giving.


Referencing love languages: apparently, I am dating. I met a gentleman, whom we will refer to as "D.D." for the purpose of the blog, about 7 months ago. He was in Phoenix on business and we would talk/text on occasion and then the frequency increased. We have had a rocky "relationship" given some miscommunication. He has displayed some behaviors of which I am not fond, but he is not abusive or mean. When you get to know him, he is actually a fun, caring, loving person. He just doesn't show it.

A few weeks ago we spoke after a hiatus for a couple of weeks and he explained that he really cares for me and the kids and would like to work on our "relationship." (He has not yet met the children in person. He has spoken to them on the phone and seen pictures of them." We are currently in a "six month commitment to us" phase. There are things about me that I am working on and he is working on some things.

So right now, we have a "date" once a week on Saturday mornings. He calls me around 6a and we talk for an hour. Yes, it is early for me, but I make that sacrifice for the betterment of the relationship. As of today, I do not know where it is going. I know where he would like it to go. But that requires a lot of change and sacrifices on my part. I know all relationships are about sowing value into the other person. I do not have a problem with putting someone else's needs above my own. My challenge: he lives on the east coast. So to be with him means I would have to give up my life here in Arizona, move to Florida, and start all over again. Today, I haven't made any kind of decisions. We are just going to work on the six month commitment and we will see where it goes.

Besides, he doesn't have children and wants children. That means I would have to have more children. At one point, I wanted two more children but now that Tyler is almost out of diapers, yeah kinda re-thinking that whole pregnant again, thing.

NyCee's 1st Day of Pre-K

NyCee started preschool today. She was so excited. About two weeks ago, we started marking "Xs" on the calendar to count down the start of her school year. Yesterday, we attended an open house and she was so excited that she ran up and hugged her teacher as soon as we walked in the room.

Her class is held in a portable in the back of the school. She literally was running up the walk away to get in line to enter class.

Before the kids enter the classroom, they say the class cheer: "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I will try." They also move their arms like a train and then walk into the class.

I walked into the room to give the teacher's aide a few papers that I needed to complete. NyCee said, "Mom, you can't come in." Neither one of us cried. I thought I would be teary eyed but I wasn't. She is just so big and smart. NyCee and Tyler are just reminders of how good God has been to me over the years.

When I arrived at the school to pick up her, she ran down the ramp with her first assignment. It is a pink hand print with a poem written by the teacher.

We spent the afternoon together. We had lunch at Red Lobster and then went shopping for school clothes. Tyler was with the sitter and hung out with his bud JD. Today just reminded me of why I am working so diligently to secure a full-time faculty position. It will provide me the time so desperately needed to attend my family.

4 Chicks and 1 dude weekend

On Friday, NyCee had a slumber party. We started off the night by going to Peter Piper Pizza where they had pizza and played video games. Even Tyler tried to play all the games were he could slam his hand on a button and tickets would spit out.

Although his absolute favorite part was eating the pizza.

After dinner, we returned to my house where the girls played games, dress up, watched a movie, and of course had manis and pedis.

Shown above: (Emily (5), Olivia (5), Megan (7), NyCee (4) and Tyler (2).

Tyler held his own these last couple of days. There were times when the girls would try and gang up on him about something but he was not having it. I think a little part of him enjoyed all the girl attention he was receiving also.

This morning everyone started waking up at the crack of dawn. They played down stairs in the play room for about 15-20 minutes while I got dressed. We enjoyed pancakes, bacon, and strawberries for breakfast. Then, we went to the park for a little while. After the park, a movie - Nanny McPhee (didn't make me feel pretty inside.) And of course, church this afternoon! Needless to write, I am pooped out.

But, NyCee had a good time and she was an excellent host. I am so proud of how much she has grown and matured.