The ball is NOT in my court, and other random stuff

Yeah, yeah, I know, I already used the "ball and court" thing. But - I don't care! :)

I have written the note, Buckner's read and approved, I found pictures, hand wrote the note, went to the post office, mailed it, and am now waiting. I will hear something after they have made contact...not that my birth mother is an alien...contact in the non-UFO context! :)

Anyway, I'm content with the fact that I have done everything they asked me to, the way they asked me to, and I'm just going to trust that it will work out. That's the best I can do now, right?


In other Wittig news, Doug graduated today with his Masters in Engineering. Yeah! 4 1/2 years, but worth it. He's glad to be done with school. I have pics and will post them later.

Taylor has turned 12, crazy huh?
The girls bought Taylor the Star Wars "Clone Wars" Light Sabre Wii game - hasn't been turned off in 117 hours (yes, that is a slight exaggeration...).
I took my final for my class and am on break for a couple more weeks before I start my last class toward my masters...
Whew! I'm tired just reading what we've been up to! Hope things are going great in bloggerland!

The ball is in my court...

No, I'm not talking tennis here. I'm talking adoption. Yeah, I know that the two items don't seem related, but watch me tie it all in... :)

I have gone to Buckners for my 1 hour of post-adoption counseling. It was interesting, enlightening, and stressful. The lady was REALLY nice, but all the same, I'd rather not have to do that again.

They told me all kinds of interesting statistics, and made sure my expectations were reasonable (they were - so there to everyone who thinks I'm unreasonable...) They made sure that I was aware of the way things could work out (the good, the bad, and the ugly)

Now we get to the "ball in my court" part. Now that I have done the counseling, signed the release, and got all the support paperwork etc. I have to write a letter. Until I write it and mail it to Buckners, the whole process is on hold. So if I don't write a letter, nothing happens. Uh, duh, won't be long in writing the letter... I also get to send a few pictures - hopefully they don't scare her off! lol!

Anyway, next week I'll write the letter and find the pictures. I'll keep you posted...

Friday Fess-Up

Ok, let's start this by saying at the moment I have nothing to fess up about, but I have a scary feeling that the longer I sit here, the more I will need to fess up about~!

1. I was totally not right just moments ago when I said I had nothing to fess up about.

2. I did not go on an exercise plan this week and immediately start thinking of excuses not to go to the gym.

3. I certainly didn't decide that beginning a workout and a diet the same week was bad for everyone around me and decide to just workout this week and add diet next week. That would be totally lame!

4. I also didn't think of many excuses to miss my appointment at Buckner's because I just didn't want to go. I really did want to go, I just felt like finding excuses not to!

5. I didn't send my husband and my son to a friends house to enjoy a night without anyone else home. Just because the girls are at band, and they are gone does not mean I'm enjoying myself...ok, maybe just a little bit. :)

6. I didn't have a piece of chocolate-oreo-yummy cake this afternoon brought to me specifically by my principal because I had such a tough SpEd meeting today that she thought I'd need a chocolate IV when it was over.

7. I'm not currently laughing because the meeting (while brutal) was not nearly as bad as it could have been, and I got cake ;-)

Ok, no more! You've had enough! No, really, this is the end of the post. Quit reading! I said it's the end! Wow, probably stays through the end of the movie reading the credits too...

Tag! I'm it!

Ok, 7 random facts. I can't tag anyone else though, because NOBODY ELSE READS MY BLOG BUT YOU MELISSA! :)

Anyhoo - here they are.

1. I weigh more now than when I gave birth to twins. Totally true.

2. I will graduate with my masters degree in May

3. My husband will graduate with his masters in December

4. The twins football team just made playoffs

5. Taylor's football teams lost in the first round of playoffs

6. I read at least one new book per week.

7. I go see the adoptions counselor tomorrow for my one hour of required post-adoption counseling session. :)

Random Product Endorsement

Ok, Puffs should pay me for this, but anyway...

I have been sick for about a week and a half. If it's not been one thing, it's been another. To make a long, miserable story shorter, I've had to blow my nose constantly. In comes the product endorsement.

If you've never used Puffs plus lotion, start. When your nose is hurting it makes such a big difference. I'm not even kidding.

Now, if you've never tried Puffs plus lotion & Vicks, start! My nose is alternately stuff and runny. I really like the Puffs plus lotion and Vicks. I thought it might be nice to try, tried it, and now I'm hooked! Next time your nose is stuffy, hurty, and you need tissue, cough up the little extra that it cost and try the new Puffs - you'll thank me...

Nothing

I have a job, go to school, have twin teenage daughters, a son in football, a husband finishing his masters degree, and the cutest dog ever... How can there be nothing going on?

Easy! - DENIAL! It ain't just a river in Egypt!

There has been so much going on, that I can't even concentrate on one thing! Here's the rundown...

Wednesday - tired, but busy...
Thursday - felt sick, went to Dr. - have strep
Friday - stayed home from school, twins football teams makes playoffs
Saturday - slept, Taylor's football teams makes playoffs
Sunday - slept, thanked God there were no more playoffs to make
Monday - back to school, exhausted
Tuesday - it's only Tuesday?!?! REALLY?!?! RAAAAAAACK!

So here it is, there's nothing going on - because I won't acknowledge that I'll be at playoffs until my face freezes off this weekend, I'm barely speaking without sounding like I'm half dead, and nobody wants to hear me whine! Ugh! Too much Hu-Ja!

Friday Fess Up

Ok, first of all, I can't believe it's Friday again - the weeks are blurring together...

First of all, I want to tell you about how I did not stay home on Tuesday just to do homework. I mean, just because I have a major test on Saturday morning at some ridiculously early time in the morning in Denton is no reason to stay home earlier in the week to study. Nope!

Secondly, I most assuredly did not leave school during my lunch break to go vote. The polls stay open until like 7. There would be no reason to go early just to miss the crowds.

In addition, I would never waste time in the grocery store looking for a way to make hot chocolate healthy so I could serve it as a treat to one of my classes. I also did not do the happy dance in Wal-Mart because I found Swiss Miss Cocoa with calcium. Just not happening.

Yeah, there's more stuff I didn't do - I didn't force my husband to hide the candy in the pantry on top of the freezer to keep me from stealing candy from potential trick-or-treaters. I'm just not like that.

You know what else? I totally didn't send out an e-mail to almost every person I'm remotely friendly with to come to a Mona Vie class at my house. I don't use the school as a recruiting ground to get a free bottle of juice stuff to keep my family healthy. Nope!

Yes, It's been such a slow week with all the things I'm not doing, that I have to also inform you that the twins are totally not turning 16 on Sunday. We're not letting a gaggle of friends stay the night Saturday night either. That would just make me crazy...er - that's right, crazier!

*Sign* where does the time go...

The check is in the mail...

Don't laugh! It really is!

The real question is what is the check for, and where is it going... Seriously, it's already in the mail!

Ok, it's not a bill, it's not what I really SHOULD be sending Melissa for the cutest blankets EVER (which you will hear more about later), and it's not for some fun to save starving children. I have three of those at home, I'll not be getting anymore anytime soon.

The check is in the mail to Buckner's Adoption Agency. Why? Oh, I just felt like donating....NOT!

Here's the deal. I'm adopted, and although I have been SO blessed with who my parents are and my family and my whole situation - there are a few things missing. Like family history, illnesses, etc. - not to mention an additional set of relatives that it might be fun to know! I am tired of questionnaires at the Dr.'s office that ask about medical history - I just put "adopted". It covers all the questions, but it's still very incomplete. I've been kicking around the idea of looking for my birth parents for years, but my adorable husband has decided that my foot may be sore from all the kicking and he printed off all the info I needed. I only had to sign and make a copy of my drivers license. Easy!

I don't know if the search will be successful, or if it is successful if my birth family will want to have anything to do with me. Both of these have been taken into consideration - I promise! However it works out, it will work out. Of course I have my preference, don't I always? However, I'm content to wait and just let it work itself out - I've waited 36 years as it is...what's a little more?

Friday fess-up

Well, I've been busy doing nothing...

In fact, I've been so busy doing nothing that I didn't spend way too much time watching TV, and way too little time doing homework.

I also didn't blame the entire situation on my husband for taking the laptop to work. I would never claim that him blowing my schedule of homework simply made it impossible to do it at all. I'm simply not like that.

In addition, I didn't leave school early one day to make the girls UIL contest in Bedford. I am a dedicated teacher, and 15 minutes simply isn't worth it.

What's more, I simply would never drown my sorrows in a pack or two of Rolos just because someone brought them to me to cheer me up. I don't respond to chocolate whatsoever. period. end of story.

What's more, I'm totally not doing this post at work.

Things you might not know about your kids teachers

There are just some things that I don't think "regular" (IE. non-teacher) parents know about teachers.

1. We really put time and thought into how our classroom looks. Where things go, colors, pictures, desks, trash cans, clocks, etc. So much so, that the week before school starts, we lose sleep over things like that. How will Johnny see the clock? Will Timmy understand the system I have set up to turn in papers? How clear are my classroom rules? Are they posted where all the kids can see them? Do I need to move some desks so all the kids can see the board? Are the boards clean? etc. No, really, I could go on and on about the thought that goes into that type of thing, and how it keeps us up nights right before school starts. Then, school starts.....

2. We worry about your kids in ways you have never even thought of. You worry how their grades are and if they're making friends. We worry if they're able to work in cooperative groups, contribute to a classroom society, and if not, how that can be addressed. We worry if they are adjusting to a new school, new grade, new city, new classroom, etc. We are constantly trying to make their adjustment the easiest possible for that child. We worry if their needs are being met educationally, and if not, what we can do to facilitate learning for that child. We lose sleep over this!

3. We worry if we see your child dating, hear stories about what they do with their friends, and where they go with you think they're at Tina's house. We hear things we'd rather not ever know, and we lose sleep over it. And you know what else? When we call you to let you know what your angel is telling us, you yell at us and tell us to mind out own business. Then we cry beside you at their funerals, or smile and make cute faces at their babies - your new grandchildren.

4. We watch your child grow - spending hours a day with them. 5 days a week, 9 months a year. Sometimes, we get more than one year, sometimes we get three or four years. We love that time, we love to see them grow and mature. It's an amazing process. Sometimes lovely, sometimes scary, and yes, often we lose sleep over it.

5. We show up to the places that your children get jobs at - because they ask us to come. We eat at places we don't like, go to movies we'd rather not see, go bowling, skating, putt-putt, etc. because your child got a job there, and needs to be seen as successful someplace outside the classroom - so we go. We smile, we tell them how proud we are of them. We tell them what a great job they are doing, and how this is an excellent opportunity for them to expand themselves. We don't do this because we have too much money and not enough ideas on how to spend it. We do this, because we too love your children. Sometimes however, they share their jobs with us, and we cry, and we lose sleep over how they are making their money.

That's why teachers look so old and broken down half the time - we're losing sleep over your child. We don't mind, it's not just what we do, it's who we are. If we weren't like this, would you really want to trust your child to us? Would you really feel like your kid was getting the best?

It's not really a post to anyone in particular. Just an explanation of what teachers are really like. You hear "she's so mean" and "she picks on me". Let me assure you, that is probably true. We are mean - we hold kids to a standard and expect them to rise to it - but not without support. We pick on them - how else would they know we care about them if we didn't give them a standard, expect them to meet it, and then stay on their case until they do?

Ok, random post/rant is at a conclusion...

Breaking the heart of a teacher

How do you break the heart of a teacher? Do you get bad grades? Not listen in class? Forget to turn in homework (on accident or on purpose)? Do you talk when they're talking? How about you forget them at Christmas? The end of the year? Don't have your supplies? Call them a name when you're hurting inside? Strike out at them because they're there, and they care?

No.

As sad as you get at bad choices they make, silly things that they do, misunderstandings that happen when you spend as much time together as you do, those are not things that break your heart. Let me tell you what breaks your heart...

Picture this...

You have some students, they work really hard. They pull all the stunts that normal students pull, including talking when you talk, forgetting homework, lashing out at you because you're there and you care, etc. These kids are going to make it! They're going to go somewhere! Year after year you see them grow, they mature, they make choices. Three of our four are doing well, getting to the point where you see they're going to make it! One has made some bad choices, and though your heart aches for him and the way that he's headed, you know there's still time, and you do what you can.

You have them four years, then they move on...you still hear from them from time to time - either because they contact you, or you talk to someone who gives you an update. One is doing great - she's got a job, working hard and doing well. She is even dating one of your other success stories! Yeah! They're living together, both working, and while you'd rather they settle the living arrangement, you understand that it's just not always the way it happens. Another one is doing really great too! He's had the same job for several years now, doing great in it, and will have opportunities to advance and make a great life for himself. You see him now and then and always get a great big hug and a smile (worth more than every Christmas present ever remembered by every student you've ever had - not that you don't love Christmas presents mind you). He tells you each time how much he appreciated you and how you were really a big part of him making it. Heart broken yet? Of course not! But here it comes...

The boy who made bad decisions? Well on Wednesday last week he made a really bad one, he went somewhere with your other young man...they drank...they drove...they wrecked...one died...one is in jail for intoxicated manslaughter...

The one in jail for manslaughter is not the one who consistently made bad choices, as much as it hurts, he's dead - the one in jail is his friend - the one who was doing so well ruined his life in an instant...

The girl and the boy? Well, on Thursday last week the girl's stepfather came in, and although I also know him, and liked him too, he hunted down and shot the boy, and was arrested. Her mother blames her for the whole mess, so now she has no boyfriend, no step dad, no mother, and no siblings. She's alone and brokenhearted.

Now, this is how you break a teacher's heart - you tell her that the children she got when they were 14, turned loose into the world at 18 are dead, hurting, or broken. The students she loved, poured her heart into, listened to, spent time with, and just enjoyed hearing of their success because in a way it was hers. She shared in every success because she helped (along with many others of course) shape them and teach them and send them out as people who had every chance to make it...and they didn't.

That is how you break a teachers heart.

Friday Fess-Up

Ok, it's Thursday, but Friday's are too crazy here! I'm lucky to get on a computer, much less post! So here goes what didn't happen in my world this week.

I absolutely did not choose to wear jeans to school on a non-jean day. I'm way to professional to push the lines of dress code at my school. Come on! I'm quite the fashion plate!

I also didn't wear my hair in a pony tail on the same day because I was too lazy to do my hair. Come on! Didn't I tell you I was a fashion plate? Fashion plates don't do that....

In addition, I totally didn't start reading Brisinger again before my children have had the chance to get through it once. Just because it's an awesome book is no reason for me to be greedy with it. Besides, I always put my children first....

My week has been full of things I just simply didn't do, like teach the lady I work with to use words and sounds like "really", "Hu-Ja" and "raaaaaack". I would never spread words that are not part of the official English language.

Hmmmm. Let's see. I've just completely stayed out of trouble this week! In fact, I didn't even wait until the last minute to start a homework assignment I've known about for 2 weeks. That would just be totally irresponsible anyway - something I would just never do.

You know something else I would absolutely never do? Fall asleep on the couch around 8, get woken up by an irritated husband around 9:30, and for revenge - no, wait for it! What I didn't do was really mean....here it comes...here it comes... - I didn't go to bed without brushing my teeth. It's not only nasty, it's really mean to the person sleeping beside you! :)

In fact, after I didn't not brush my teeth, I didn't wake up with the worst nasty, disgusting, horribly terrifying, dragon breath ever! Since I would never go to bed with gross teeth, I could never wake up in that condition. Good thing!

Ok - feeling pretty good. Think I'll go sit on the couch and not fall asleep! :)

Fess up...

It may not be Friday, but here it is...

I did not use a sick day at work to stay home and do homework and study for a test and then spend more time doing laundry and grocery shopping than studying and writing reports. I would never do that!

I most certainly would never be late to my son's football practice because I am stressed out and want an ice cream and the line to get one was forever long but I stayed anyway because I wanted an ice cream. I would never do something like that.

I would never ever, ever, ever show up for a test at UNT a full hour early because I didn't check the syllabus closely enough.

I also would never con others into bringing my son home from school for me because I didn't want to make the trip and sit in "parent" traffic. That's silly.

In addition, I just simply wouldn't sit an post on my blog instead of getting in some last minute reading...I'm just not like that!

Wow, I really feel better!

Raaaaaaaack!

Yeah, new word. Actually, rather than a word, it's a mean-all sound effect. I like it. It's a cross between a wookie (see Chewbaca from Star Wars if that one escapes you) and a wounded seal (catch discovery channel is the wounded seal is beyond your powers of imagination).

Anyway, I really like this word/sound. It, as do so many of my words/sounds do, has many meanings. It usually is used in the "really, you just said that and respect me to respond in an anywhere near appropriate manner?" way. It's fun. People get it - even without explanations once you've used it. In fact, here's a great sentence using all my favorite words...

Really? that kind of Hu-Ja makes me say raaaaaaack!

(did that qualify as two sentences? I'll have to think for awhile on that Hu-Ja!)

Waiting

Does it ever seem like you spend a huge chunk of your time waiting? I think that I do. Is that poor planning on my part? Poor planning on someone else's part? Laziness on my part? Laziness on someone else's part?

I guess all are possible, and they all probably get together to cause me the frustration on waiting. Why am I talking about this? Well, yeah, you guessed it - I just happen to have a little time while I'm - that's right, let's say it together - WAITING!

Today has gone like this...

1. Get up too early (yes, 7:4o is too early on Saturday). WAIT for the girls to finish getting ready.
2. Get the girls to school - band contest. WAIT for all the stupid cars whose owners should have been home in bed to get out of my way so I could turn.
3. Go home and try to sleep a little more - not be able to, and WAIT for the alarm to go off so I don't feel like a freak getting up before I really have to on Saturday.
4. Get ready to head out to Denton for my Masters class - WAIT for Doug to finish whatever he's up to so I can tell him bye.
5. Drive to Denton - you never know how long it will actually take, so guess what - yep - I'm early and I have to WAIT to give a test to my professor. Do you know how stressful that is????!!!??? If you don't, let me tell you - it's VERY stressful!
6.When I leave here, my day will just go from a bit busy, to Nascar's starting moments busy! Yikes!

Anyway, if you've been WAITING for this post to end, you're in luck.

Hu-Ja

Look, it's my word, I can spell it the way I want to!

Here's the thing, it's been forever since I did a post, so I'm not going to catch you up on me, the kids, my husband, or the very cute and funny dog we own who will celebrate her birthday on Monday...

I'm going to catch you up on my favorite word. Like the word "really" previously discussed in a post, "Hu-Ja" is a very flexible word. Pronounced 'who - ha', it has a myriad of meanings. No, really! (notice use of word really... :)

Use number 1:
Hu-Ja - Noun - Any item(s) you do not want to name specifically. "Son, get your Hu-Ja before we leave" translation "Son, get your lunch, your trumpet, your band binder, your shoes, and your PE clothes before we leave."

Use number 2:
Hu-Ja - adjective - used to describe anything from wonderful to totally foul. "I've had such a Hu-Ja day" Translation will require looking at persons face... Translation #1 "I've had such an amazing day that I can't wait to go blog about it to all my friends (Ok, just to Melissa, but still). Translation #2 "I've had such a horrible day that I can't wait to go to bed just so it will be over - what? It's only 4:37? Who cares! Good Night!"

Now, please remember that Hu-Ja is totally my word. I even made up it's spelling. However, if you will try it for a day, see how it works out for you, and let me know, I might give you permission to use my most fabulous of words! :)

Visit to Texas Stadium

The twins football team made it to the playoffs this last year (2007-2008 season). They did really well, and at one point, actually got to play in Texas Stadium. Yes, the holy grail of football was achieved. They were SO happy. So, of course, in each picture I took, there is the bright blue star...


I would LOVE for you to pick the twins out of this picture. Look for a minute - can you do it? Let me help...no wait, look longer...Ok, now I'll help. Look at the one wearing a uniform...no, not that one, the one beside them...yep, that's one of the twins - kidding! I don't know which ones they are either!


Their program was called Asylum, so the band members are marching around and holding one poor little flag girl prisoner inside their lines...not very nice...


Here they are doing rotating boxes. It looked really cool, this really doesn't do it justice...


Now they're back in formation - the twins are somewhere in the front right of this picture...


Now, the crazy flag girl has escaped the asylum, and has gotten all the band kids. This program was SO COOL! Everyone was talking about it - as in all the other teams and all the other bands. It really was a great one to watch.

Anyway, marching season just started up again on Thursday, so I thought it was time to get these published.

Mama Mia!

Ok, I don't get to go to the movies much, but with Grandma Irene here, we went! Irene, myself, and the twins went to see Mama Mia the other day, and it was great! Yes, some adult type humor - it is rated PG-13...

However, it was so funny, and actually had us laughing out loud! Gonna have to buy that one when it comes out. Not so much a "Doug will watch it" movie, but that's ok - maybe when he's doing homework.... :)

Wii got it!

Ok, since NOVEMBER we have been looking for a Wii. In this area, shipments come in all the time...you just never know when, where, or how many there will be. If you don't know someone in the store, you don't get to have a Wii. They sell so fast, a store can have 15 at 7:00am and 0 by 9:00 am. It's just a little crazy!

Doug and I have look around for awhile (obviously) and just haven't been able to find one. Well, yesterday on my birthday, Irene said - "they'll have it today, it's your birthday." Well, she was right. Wal-Mart had one! Yeah! We snapped it up, grabbed an extra WiiMote so we would have 2, and headed to the casa. Doug didn't get a chance to install last night, so I did it this morning. It was REALLY easy - much easier than I thought it would be. Now, as I type, Taylor and his friend JD are in the living room playing bowling. LOL! It's just too funny.

Well, enough of this, I've got a Mii also, so now I'm going to kick the boys off and play something! :)

Grandma Irene is coming!

We're pretty excited here in the Wittig house, Doug's mom is coming to visit! Yeay! We have been really excited waiting for her to get here, and today is the day! She and Doug's dad Greg were going to come down in March, but then Greg got sick, and they didn't get to make it. It was so unfortunate because we lost Greg a short time later. We will miss his addition to the trip.

This is Irene's first trip down in several years, and her first trip to the new house ever! We have several things planned that we would like to do with her, and hopefully we'll come up with some more things while she's here.

The only bummer about the trip is that Doug and I are still in summer school, and the girls will be at marching band practice a whole lot. We'll work around those things of course, but I will be unhappy every time I have to stop what we're doing to go get something done for class. Doug has even more than me! Ick!

I'm sure pictures of our escapades will accompany more posts in the future... :)

SUPERCHARGED!

There is some necessary background before you check out the rest of this post. If you skip this part and go straight to pictures/videos you will think most people on a cruise ship need psychotic medication. REALLY!!

Well, that's not true (I'm sure some do). Here's what happens on a cruise dinner. The Matre 'D is in charge of all the dinner preparations. That's not just how the dining room is set up, or the silverware and dishes, but which waitstaff cover which table, the order of tables in the service line, and - really quite importantly - the dinner entertainment. Usually, right after our meal, we would get coffee and dessert. At that time, entertainment would begin. We learned after the first few days, that we really needed to bring our camera and get some of this on video - it was great!

Our Matre' D's name was Joseph. His self proclaimed title was "Joseph, your supercharged Matre' d". And let me tell you - he was SUPERCHARGED. He was hysterical. He was everywhere, all the time. He talked to you like he knew you, made you feel right at home, and was so funny and nice. He was the best part of dinner.


This is me with Joseph (can you tell I'm a bit sunburned?). Another catch phrase he used right before the performance was to begin was "iiiiiiiiiiiiiiit's aaaaaaa Showtime!" He had an accent that was somewhere between his native Croatia, and his adopted Canada. It was great.

This is the "Amore" video. Here, Joseph has the entire wait-staff sing the Amore' song. Please understand the there is almost no staff on the ship that is actually American. There are more accents on that boat than there are sticks of deodorant - no, really! Some of them don't speak English very well at all, but others are quite fluent. The ones that don't speak it as well are usually the ones that help the head waiters in the dining room. They ALL participate in the performances though. Even if they have to read it off pieces of paper so they can try to say all the words. (No, seriously, they did that - it was so great.) This was great...

Here is the SUPERCHARGED video. You will understand how we needed to film these. Nobody would believe me if I just told them the stories - or they would think I was exaggerating. Well I'm NOT! This is Joseph, at his finest. We missed several earlier opportunities for great film because we didn't have our camera, or didn't remember to bring it. It was so fun! We told Joseph that he would probably end up on U-Tube. He laughed and said "too late". As I suspected, he's already there! The last night at dinner, you have the option to tip the Matre' d. As you might suspect, Joseph was well tipped by us, and I'm guessing several others. The dining room sat about 700. There were 2 dinners, early and late. If 1/2 the people tipped $10...He made about $7000 for the week. Not a bad haul, but he earned it! Our ship actually scored a 100 on the inspection by the US FDA...for the 3rd time in a row! Makes you feel warm and fuzzy to know your food is in good hands...

Grandpa Scared us!

Ok, back in March my dad had a health scare. Since we think he's the coolest thing since sliced bread, we made a quick trip back home to visit. We waited a few days until he was feeling better, but then we went. He was looking good and feeling chipper when we got there...See?


He was a nurse's favorite because he was well behaved and nice - not always what you get from people when you're in the hospital. It surely didn't hurt that my mom made cookies for the nurses and anybody else that came by - she's an amazing cook - that will keep the nurses happy!



Dad got to come home the day we had to leave. We were glad to see him back in his "habitat" before we left. Here's daddy and the baby (yes, I'm the baby. I know it, own it, embrace it, whatever - it's me) This is in my old bedroom, that is now the study... Daddy can work when I used to spend so much time...Wonder if he planned that... lol


Here's mom and dad together. She was pretty tired when he finally got to come back home, I think he was in better shape than she was at that point. A few good nights of rest, and having daddy back sure helped!


The gang's all here. This was right before we left, and the kids were as goofy and humanly possible. Such silly children. Grandma and grandpa didn't mind though (good thing!)

I was glad to go visit, just not crazy about the reason we were there. The kids got to go back while Doug and I were on vacation, but I haven't made it yet...hopefully soon.

Cruise Pictures

They really have quite the racket going on the cruise lines. They have photo opportunities ALL OVER THE PLACE!!! In fact, it's hard to get by WITHOUT having your picture made sometimes. We never had before, but one night we actually got in line for these things - get this - on purpose! Yes, I know, SUCKER!

Anyway, the pictures turned out quite good, and we actually bought 2 of them...for $22.00 each of course...like I said - they have quite the racket going. At least they were 8 X 10...



We are supposed to look like we're outside, but trust me on this - we're not! The guy who did this background was a sucker for "attitude" poses. I didn't pose that way just cause I wanted to! :) Yeah, it was fun - plus Doug smiled - a real smile even!




Ok, if I didn't look so chubby, this would be even better, but I do like the picture anyway. It actually looks like light is coming in a window just off to the side, but we were no where near a window when this was taken - plus it was like 10:15 at night...

We really had fun, and the pics turned out pretty good. I can send one to anybody who wants a copy (yes Melissa, this is aimed at you - since you are usually the only one who reads my silly blog) :)

That takes the cake!

One of the band fundraisers the girls got to participate in earlier this year was the cake auction. Well, you know me, so I can't do normal stuff. Instead of a cake, we did the cupcake thing, and turned the cupcakes into a flower. It turned out pretty good. Of course, I had to buy a cake while I was there, and guess which one I bought...yup-our own! It cost me $15 to leave with the same cake I went up there with! Crazy, I know...


The girls had fun coloring the vanilla icing to be whatever color they decided. I think it took longer to decide which colors to use than to actually decorate the cupcakes!


The few that didn't "fit" into the flower sure tasted yummy!

For the love of my friend...

Ok, there are a couple of reasons for doing this post. Both of them are Melissa's fault. (lol!)

First, my friend, you asked about pictures of me. Well here they are - most of them anyway!

Second, I felt bad about you being blinded by the SFOT shirts every time you pulled up the site! They are BRIGHT! (not enough capital letters, bold letters, italic letters, etc. to do that statement justice)

So here we go!



We are on the 3rd deck, waiting for dinner to start (we had the 8:00 pm dinner) and Doug offered to take a couple's picture. Afterward, they offered to take ours, and here it is. Pretty good actually - Doug almost smiled! :)

Behind that door we are in front of is the walkway on the ship - it was really windy right then, so we were waiting inside - out of the gale force winds (ok, slight exaggeration)




On St. Thomas, while we were waiting for our turn to do the helmet dive, I got to pet a nurse shark. Their skin feels very different from the sting rays and dolphins. Those guys are soft and smooth. The shark almost feels like a wet snake. It's skin is very rough - like a loofah I guess. Not super pleasant, but the shark was well behaved - I left with all my fingers in tact!


Guess where I'm at here? When you get off the boat, there's the pier to walk down, and then your in St. Maarten. Right after you get into this area, there's this sign. Yes we had to wait in line to get the shots.

Do you know why St. Maarten is spelled with two "A"s? Well it was settled by pirates...
(Insert pirate voice here "ah, ye scurvy dogs! We're in St. Maarten" - It's funnier on the boat...)



We wanted a sunset picture, but where the sun was, the wind was also - so we settled for a "dusk" picture instead. Not bad, helps hide my face! lol!



Here's one of our animal friends. He's borrowed my sunglasses, so he looks mega-cool. LOL! Our steward was always leaving cute animals, the monkey is just one of my all-time favorites!

Ok, there ya have it folks. Pics of me. Ick. jk. I'd rather look at other stuff later, that's why I usually don't get pics of me - I can see myself anytime!

Electric Youth

Ok for those of you around in the days of Debbie Gibson, the title will give you a giggle. If that's not you, trust me, there's a double meaning there, and it's kinda funny.

Anyway, the girls are working for 6 Flags now, and though you might not believe it, these pictures do not do justice to the electric yellow color that these shirts are. It's almost beyond amazing that they managed to get that color - it reflects off things! it glows! it's just a little creepy actually...

Lydia is doing her signature "thumbs up" pose, and Melody is just being swallowed by her clothes... lol



This may be one of the most "normal" pics I have of the girls - if you don't count the electric yellow shirts...



Ok, back to goofy.

Anyway, the girls are working 5 days a week. Between 4 and 6 hours per day. They can work up to 7 hours in a day, but they haven't pulled a shift that long yet. They are enjoying work, they have an AC where they work which is nice. They already know lots of people, and they're getting a regular paycheck! Nice! They will be able to work weekends durring marching band to keep their hand in - then they can still work holidays and such - it will be much easier to pay for the band trip this year... Yeah!









Ok, those of you who were around in the days of Debbie Gibson will get a giggle out of the title, the rest of you, just trust me - kinda funny...

Home of the Texas Rangers

Doug took Taylor to a Ranger's baseball game. The team that he played for, the Astro's, all got tickets and went to see the "big boys" play. Taylor had a blast, and since the Ranger's lost, Doug enjoyed it too...

Hard to see, but Taylor's the one in the middle...lol



They're getting ready to get moving after a short rain delay...



He's got an earsplitting grin!



Look at the big boys go!



This is the look of awe as you watch a major league game. If you can't tell he was totally into this, look at this picture again! He loved it!

Doug did a great job sitting through a Rangers game - had it been the Yankee's he would have been much happier, but they did have a good time.

Creepy crawlies

Here's Doug by his new best friend. There were all these lizards just roaming around in St. Thomas when we went to the helmet dive. We had fun watching them...


Believe it or not, it was about a 1.5 foot jump up onto the ledge, and he hopped up there like it was no big deal. We saw them climbing a tree and everything. Very cool.



I usually have to wait forever for it to happen, but this time I knew my pictures had been downloaded to the computer quickly when I turned it on and this was my new background. Very funny Doug!

If the video works like it should, you'll see Doug following around the lizards. He had a really good time doing that... They were really cool.

The funnest place to play

Ok, this was the funnest place to play in the whole house. When we were at John and Melissa's, Caroline was really excited about the dog's cage. She would go in, shut the door, come out, shut the door, rinse and repeat - lol! It was so funny, we got some pics!

Addison didn't care if they were in there together, it was funny how she was willing to share!

I need to learn how to put the pictures where I want them, rather than the random scattering that I have here...

Vacation

Ok, no pics yet, but here's a rundown of our fabulous vacation.

Friday - took the kids to the airport to ship them off to mom and dad.

Saturday - up at 3:00 am...ugh... flew to Orlando, on the ship, eating, set sail, very cool.

Sunday - Nassau - Played with the Dolphin, caught Doug kissing a girl named Michelle (dolphin-lol)

Monday - Fun day at sea - lounged - loved it

Tuesday - St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Got to ride a skyride up a very huge hill or small mountain and look at the view, also got to do a "helmet dive". They put a helmet on you that is hooked up to an oxygen line - the you walk around a trail underwater. VERY COOL. You just couldn't bend over, you had to squat down and look or air would whoosh out the back and water would sneak in...

Wednesday - St. Maarten - Got to snuba and snorkel. Way fun. It's neat to get to go down under water with the regulator, but not have to carry the air canister on your back. Also got a new ring - .8 carats of Tanzanite, and .3 diamonds - set in white gold. I like it! :)

Thursday - Fun day at sea - sun, pool, lounge around. Yeah!

Friday - Same as Thursday - Yeah!

Saturday - back in port - come home (Had to take a mid-term - yuck, at least I didn't have to do it on the cruise!)

Sunday - go get kids from my parents - met half-way in Abilene. Did homework that was due Sunday.

As you can see, very busy! It was also amazing fun!

Band Banquet

Lydia is in Seafoam
Melody is in Royal Blue







Ok, I have pictures now, and I want to get to posting! Here's the subject for this one: Band Banquet. The girls had a great time picking out dresses. We went to the Six Flags Mall, and hit the Dillard's Outlet. Man! They have some really cute stuff there! I followed the girls around, made a few suggestions, a few veto's, and a few grey hairs! LOL!


They were purchasing their own outfits, and they did so great! Lydia got an $80 dress for $11, and a pair of shoes for $8. (ish) It was such a good deal! Then Melody got a $180 dress for $25, and some shoes for about $12. Crazy I know. At such great prices, you would think they looked like they were wearing hefty bags and yarn, but it was really cute. The theme was Casino Royal (Yes, a "Bond" theme - very classy). They had so much fun that night, and Lydia won a door prize - $25 gift card to Wal-Mart! Who doesn't love a little wally-world?

Yeah! Pictures!

Ok, it's taken awhile...but Doug loaded pictures in my computer! Yeah! Now I can blog about cute things that happened and attach pics. There will be several posts starting NEXT week... However, here's a pic I've really been waiting for....

Melissa and me at Doug's New Year's Eve game in Amarillo, Tx! December 31, 2007... It was SO FUN! We even let John and all the kids come :)

Yea! Pictures!

Too Darn Cute!

OK, since MARCH I have been working at Six Flags Over Texas. The entire point of the job was so that it would be easier to get my girls jobs there. At 15, there are not a plethora of jobs available to them. Well, it has FINALLY happened! On Tuesday of last week they had interviews and were hired. On Saturday, they had their "Discovery Class" (orientation), and they are scheduled to do training in their area on Thursday! YEAH!

Needless to say, they're excited. They have gotten their uniforms (which their first paycheck will be docked for through Six Flags), and they have tried them on, washed them, hung them up to be ready, and are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to actually use them! They look so cute in their highlighter yellow shirts, and their khaki bra-hugger shorts! I can't wait to get pics and post them! (Yeah, cause pics get posted here on a regular basis...whatever!) I'm just really excited for them - their first "real" job!

Gripe, Gripe, Gripe

Ugh! I have found myself, once again, in such tight schedules that I'm agast at what I'm doing! Here's a sample day for me....

Wake up - always a blessing just to do that
get dressed
work 6 flags 9-3
come home
clean up
pick up melody from band at 4
pick up tile for karen at 4:15
drop kids at karen's at 5:00
grab a bite of dinner 5:30
get to class 20 minutes late at 5:40
get out of class early at 9:00
come home by 10:00
crash on couch

Ugh! Today I have papers to write, then tomorrow I work at 6 flags again, then report for class in Denton again. Just seems like there's alot going on..as usual I guess. The kids are staying at karen's house for 2 days though. That's nice - tonight after I get home for school (yes, I have to work there all afternoon today) I can do homework! 2 summer classes, one over in 5 weeks, 1 over in 10 weeks. I'm SO looking forward to vacation (I have to take a mid-term in the middle of the cruise...yikes!)

Pigs, Time, and Scales

Yeah, figure out the connection on those....


I know, it's lame, but they're "THINGS THAT FLY" LOL!

No really, it's been 2 months since I have posted. Melissa, you probably don't even look anymore! :)

Ok, so first - pigs...
Everyone says "when pigs fly" meaning it will never happen. Ok, so here's some things I never thought would happen - but they did.

1. twins - enough said
2. taking 2 years to complete my masters degree (a full year too long!)
3. creating a blog
4. ok, I'll quit boring you, but other things have happened too!

Now, time...
Time doesn't just fly when you're having fun. It also flies when papers are due; when kids have sporting events, concerts, etc.; when you are looking at the last time someone got to visit...

We just lost Doug's dad not very long ago, and it was really sad to look back at how long it had been since we had seen them. It had been awhile. His dad and mom were planning a trip and would have been here except days before his dad got sick...then the trip never happened. So, if you're planning a trip, or planning to see people - DO IT! If you wait, who knows what will happen. Life isn't always convenient, easy, or cheap. Tell people you love them, tell them you miss them, and try to go see them. Then - take pictures! :)

Scales - yuck! Nothing else on that.

I'll try to do better, and may even try to "revamp" my screen to look pretty like Melissa's does...She's just more creative than I am, and more computer savvy... I promise to try though.

What's going on...

Well, still waiting on Doug to load pictures for me...Until that happens, here's some of the latest news...

The twins:

1. WILL be able to pay for their trip to New York (Actually, they will be $100 short - which Doug WILL front them. They will be paying him back with a cleaning scheduled the week after they return.

2. Are doing great in school, and band. They have really had such a great year. I thank God that this move has turned out the way it has. It could have been so difficult, but the transition has been great.

3. Are total Goobers. I'm sure you already knew that, but there it is.


Taylor:

1. Is on a new Baseball team - the Astros. They had a tournament this last weekend. They played 2 games on Saturday, and then entered a single elimination tournament on Sunday. They lost in the Semi-Finals. I am not usually a complainer, but if the other team wasn't paying the umpires for the calls, they should have. When a kid hits the dirt to keep from being smacked with the ball, and it's still a strike, well, even I know that's not cool! It was quite the experience...

2. Is in the school "Hockey Club". It only meets for an hour after school on every other Thursday, but it's really been good for him. He loves hockey, and getting to know the teachers in a different way is cool too.

3. Is a Goober. Once again, information you already have - I just thought I'd remind you.


Doug:

1. Is a Goober. (You thought that would be #3 again didn't you!?!?!?!?) Ha!

2. Is doing well at work, and is still coming home at an early hour most days. That's quite nice actually. (Except on the days he works out right after work - then we don't see him until around 7)

3. Is a Goober - enough said... (He! He! He!)



Me:

1. I'm really busy, but that's ok.

2. I got nominated for Teacher of the Year. There's no way I'll win, and that's ok, but it was a real pleasure to have people think enough of the job you do to nominate you in the first place. That was really pretty cool.

3. I live with a pack of Goobers.


Addison:

1. Is tired.
2. Is hungry.
3. Is a GOOBER! How else would she fit into this house!?!?



Anyway, that's the basic update. Hopefully, pics will follow....eventually....

I always win the lottery...

I always do! EVERYTIME there is a lottery, I win! It's just the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I think my name knows there is a contest, hops to the top, and gets drawn!

Of course you realize I'm not talking about the kind of lottery that gets you money - I'm talking about the kind of lottery that gets you work. Anytime there's any "randomly picked" teachers to cover something, I'm on it! I'm thinking that random needs a new definition... Here it is.

Random - Adjective - (1)describes process of picking Sheridan Wittig out from the 50 other possible people for a project. (2)Describes the process of picking someone else in a non-biased way to work with Sheridan Wittig on a project.

Truly! I really think that Webster needs to make a change. Guess who's school district was audited by a division of the TEA (Texas Education Agency). Oh! That was me... Guess who got picked at random to attend a meeting? Oh! That was me... Guess who had a teacher get picked to talk to? Oh! That was me too!

Are you seeing a pattern? Me too. I am going to request a formal apology from Websters for the inaccurate definition in the dictionary. Wish me luck.

Spring WHAT?

Ok, I know this last week has been spring break and all, but let me tell you what life has been like here... Lets start with the first "official day" of my Spring Break... That would have been last Saturday - so here it goes...

Saturday -Worked at SFOT, did laundry
Sunday - Worked at SFOT, packed
Monday - Waited for dishwasher repairman, left for Odessa to see my dad
Tuesday - In Odessa with Dad at the hospital
Wednesday - Got to see dad at home from the hospital, then left to come home.
Thursday - Helped the girls clean a house, worked at SFOT
Friday - Helped the girls clean a house, worked at SFOT
Saturday - slept late (YEAH!) worked at SFOT, did laundry
Sunday - Homework - yes, all day, no I'm not finished yet.

Now, tomorrow, break is over...and I never even got one!

On a different, not so whiny note, dad is home from the hospital, and I check in pretty much every day. He's not out of the woods yet, but he's happy to be home. Please keep praying, new blood clots keep popping up, and that's not good news...

On a sort of related note, Doug's dad is not doing too well himself. The Dr. thinks he has alsheimers (yea, I can't spell) and has been put in a nursing home this last week. It would be great if you could add the other dad to your prayer list as well!

Ok - on a funny note...the dog has conned Doug into letting her "nap" on the bed sometimes. Yes, our bed, and yes there has to be a blanket down first, but it's such a huge step... :)

First day on the job

Well, I got to work opening day at SOFT yesterday... It was pretty busy, but they said that's nothing like what it will be when spring break comes. They said the lines will be so long it will stretch from our building across the bridge, and around the corner... (about 1/8th of a mile...) THEN we'll be busy. I just laughed. It was actually pretty fun once I figured out the computer system...

I guess the first day was fun, I enjoyed it. I just don't need too many shifts right now... I have enough to do! The twins got a chance to laugh at my uniform, but Taylor was nice about it... He's my boy! After a 9:30-3:30 shift, I came home, did homework, took a test and crashed. I now have more homework and another test to study for. I need to get back to school on Monday so I'll have some rest! Ha!

I look like a highighter!

Ok, I promise to get a pic up, but this couldn't wait. I picked up my uniform for SFOT (Six Flags Over Texas), and although the prices are good for a uniform - it wasn't my favorite color. I can explain exactly what I mean here in a few quick steps.

Go get a yellow highlighter.

No, really, go get one!

No, that's generic one. Get the name brand "highlighter" one.

Yes. That's it.

Now, roll the highlighter around between your fingers. See that neon yellow, with the black lettering? THAT is what my uniform looks like...exactly. Only exception is, the highlighter SAYS highlighter. My uniform says SFOT!

One good thing though - the material is SUPER compfy!

Found! In least likely place!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen! I have been found! I know you though I had dropped off the face of the earth, but I hadn't. I have been hiding under a rock, and now I'm out. The bugs were getting horrible! Since I haven't posted in 2 months or so, I'm going to give a quick synopsis of what's been going on...


1. The girls are still trying to raise money for New York band trip. They are making money by selling candy and cleaning houses. They are trying to get a job at 6 flags...one of the few places that will hire 15 year old kids...

2. I have a job a 6 flags...It will put the girls higher up in the hire process to have a relative working there, so I bit the bullet and got a job. It looks like it will be fun, this just isn't the semester I would have chosen to do it.

3. Doug had Carbon-dioxide poisoning... Yeah, work can be dangerous! It happened at the hockey rink, and he spent almost 24 hours in the hospital. Although I think he has permanent brain damage, the Doctors say he's fine....

4. Taylor has joined hockey club at his school. It meets every other week on Thursdays. He went to his first meeting this past Thursday, and can't wait for the next one! They have to play in tennis shoes, but he still had a blast.

Ok, I guess that's it. Just wanted to put in a quick update post. I will get some pictures loaded to my computer soon - they're from New Years, so they're just as behind as my posts!