Christmas...

WOW! Christmas was, shall we say, interesting! The day that my mom and the kids and I left for Canada, we were supposed to leave by 5am. Well, that of course, did not happen. Mainly because my moms cat is a stubborn old bitty! I had her in her cage and ready to go... But my little brother and I were taking her out to go to the restroom before the long trip. Well, she managed to get out of her harness, and she took off! We spent 5 hours chasing that STUPID cat around the neighborhood! I finally sweet talked her into coming with me.... You know, in baby talk "come on Cinza, come on baby.... It's okay..." Well within seconds she was rubbing against my legs and I grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and carried her to my mom's house. We then tranquilizer her and put her in her carrier. Be-be (my moms other cat) never left our sight.... I think she was just so freaked out about the move... The cats could tell something was going on.

So we finally got on the road around 10am.... The kids were great... My mom slept.... I drove until I could not drive anymore... and we only made it to West Memphis, Arkansas.... Not bad for only having about 4 hours of sleep, and then chasing a STUPID cat around the neighborhood for 5 hours! Our second day on the road, we made a lot more progress, we made it just past Lansing, MI. We stopped there for the night so that we would not be crossing the Canada border late at night.... Because Gabby would not be a happy camper!

Our border crossing was easy.... They took care of my moms paperwork (since she was moving to Canada) and they did not even ask me for my passport or anything for the kids! That really bothered me, because I could have been a kid-napper..... But, it was also good, because we were done in about 10 minutes! 4 hours later, we were at my aunt and uncles house. Gabby, Christian and I went and woke up Chris (who we had not seen for 2 weeks). He looked so different. He lost weight! After we had been there about an hour, he told me that his tooth was really bothering him. I asked if he wanted to go to the dentist and he said no.... He wanted to wait till we got home. Well, the next morning his check was SO puffy! I took him to the dentist, and sure enough, he had a massive infection. They put him on anti-biotic and the next day the tooth (well the roots of the toothy, was all that was left) was pulled. It was a wisdom tooth. They also told him that the one on the other side was doing the same thing, so we made an appointment for that one to be pulled 2 days later. The dentist that was there at the time was not able to do it, so instead, he got two fillings that day.

Christmas was good. The kids got lots of presents from all the family in Canada. And the family loved Gabby! Oh, and my little stinker started walking while we were there! LOOK OUT WORLD! So, here are some pics from Christmas I had more, but a computer glich caused me to loose a lot of pictures....

Well, we have been back in Houston for a couple days now. Our trip home went very smoothly! Our first day on the road, we did not leave until about 1pm (Ontario time) due to a tooth being pulled, and my mom not wanting us to leave... But we wanted to at least get a start. We stopped for the night at a motel somewhere in Ohio... About 30 minutes from Kentucky.... Then we got up around 8am the next morning and hit the road. We did not stop (except for restroom breaks and eating) until we got to Conroe, Texas to drop off Maurice (my big brother). That was around 3am. We got back to our house around 4am, and none of us could sleep. Gabby wanted to play, Christian wanted to play his Playstation (which he missed like crazy) and Chris and I were just not ready for bed. So we played with Gabby for a while. I guess around 5ish we layed down... Gabby fell asleep... I don't think that Christian ever went to bed. We slept for a couple hours... And we were up opening MORE presents. Chris' dad sent two big boxes of presents for us. These kids have so many toys, and nowhere to put them! Gabby needs her own room SO bad!

Here there and everywhere.....

SO we are still in Canada... I wanted to share with you a house that we are currently checking into on PEI... Let me know what you think. Click Here to check it out.

We're in Canada EH?

Hey everyone! So, I know it has been a while since I updated... So here is a quick update to catch y'all up on a few things. The first half of my last school year in Houston is OVER! Now I just have to make it through May... Our plans as of now are still to move to Canada... Chris spend some time on PEI and he said the winter there seems quite depressing! I have never been there during the winter. But, regardless, we ARE moving to Canada! I am so done with Texas! Gabby cut another tooth on Saturday,it is on the top left. My baby girl is growing up so fast, it's hard to believe she is going be a year old in 2 month.

Chris had a really bad tooth ache the day that my mom, the kids and I got here. He was miserable all night. My dad and I took him to the dentist yesterday. He has a very bad infection, so he is on antibiotics. Once the infection is gone, the tooth must go... In a way, I am glad that this happened in Canada... they are so much nicer, and the prices are much better!

Well, that is about all I have for you for now. I will try and give more updates during the break, and I plan to have Christmas morning pictures up as soon as that happens!

Have a Great Christmas!

To quiet!

WOW! It is too quiet at my house. Christian is across the street at a friends house, helping her with her computer, Gabby is in bed, and Chris is out of town. He left early this morning with my dad and Maurice (older brother) to drive to PEI. Yes, that's right, the love of my life has taken off with my daddy and my bu-bu! Since they left, I did some painting at my parents house here in Houston (it goes on the market either tomorrow or Tuesday), I have gone shopping for winter clothes for Gabby (found some very good deals!), I have washed all the laundry, I changed the door knobs in our bedroom, and I have cleaned the bedroom! Now that I am out of chores to do, all that is left is blogging and watching TV.

Things that are new: Gabby says bu-bye and waves while she does it... she started that almost a week ago, I think. She is trying so hard to walk... she has the standing part down... She is 100% weaned.... Pumping was getting to difficult... I did not have enough time, nor energy. Since I started weaning, I have been more energetic and less moody!

10 school days until Christmas break!

Family Picture....

with Santa!

Gabby and her buddy Alexander

Okay, so I am a slogger!!

Yes, I have not been so great about keeping up lately, but I must say that I have been extremely busy! Between work, Gabby, and helping my parents get ready to move, I don't have a lot of time to blog. That being said, I will fill y'all in with a few of the things that have been going on.
1. Gabby now has two teeth... she has had two for a while, I think I only blogged about one though.
2. The school year is almost half over, which means just a little over 6 months till we move to Canada.
3. My parents moving van comes to there house the Tuesday after American thanksgiving. That is a little over a week away. So we have been coming to their house pretty much every weekend for the past few weeks to help get it ready to sell. Chris and I have been painting today.
4. I have all of next week off from work. We will be spending the week working on our house and going through things... we are trying to figure out what to take and what to get rid of when we move.
5. We are ALL going to Ontario for Christmas! All but my baby brother Charlie... he just started a new job a few weeks ago, and has no chance of getting the time off... But Gabby and Christian will get to see real snow (hopefully) this Christmas.

I am sure there is more to tell, but the paint fumes are getting to me... I will try to write more again soon! Hope all is well!

With time, comes change.....

Well... So I never thought that my job description would change part way through the year. As of tomorrow, I will no longer be teaching K-2 Math and Bible.... I will now be teaching Grade 1 Bible and 1-2 Language Arts. After about 10 weeks of school, the principal finally agreed with me that Kindergarten should be in a confined classroom. Personally, I can not handle kindergarten for more than about 30 minutes without loosing my mind, and somehow I made it through 10 weeks of having them for and hour and a half, five days a week. I will still see them everyday at recess, but they will no longer come to my classroom.

The down side to all of this is that I will no longer be decision Math. I love Math! I have never been strong in Language Arts, but I guess this is a way to strengthen that area.

I should have some new pictures up soon... They are on my dad's camera, and we are having some technical difficulties...

Look Who Looks Like ME!

http://www.myheritage.com

Haloween...

So, it's Haloween, and I am beat! As soon as we got home from my work, we got the kids ready, and we were off for a candy raid! Now, of course it was HOT so much for this so called cold front! GAbby was miserible in her bunny costume! Half way through our time out, she trew up on me (i'm guessing due to the heat). So we took her costume off, and the rest of the night, she was a happy baby! Well, That is about all I have for now... her are a couple pictures of our little bunny... one is with her daddy!

Wow, I thought I had updated.....

I don't have much to say update wise... Life, as usual, is busy! 1/4 of the school year is over... Gabby is 8 months old... Christian turned 10 last weekend.... I'm tired, and I can't think of what to say... so I will update later.

What's Happening?!

Well, well, well... Life has been crazy! This year has been a lot harder on me, and the reasoning could be a number of things. This is my third year of teaching, second year teaching as a married woman, and first year teaching as a mommy of an infant. It is very hard being away from my husband and kids all day and then being too tired to do anything with them by the time I get home. It is not fair to them, and really, it is not fair to me... but, as my mother always said, "Nobody ever said that life was fair." Gabby is doing so much, and I miss most of her firsts... Like the first time she held a bottle on her own, she was at home with Chris, and I was at work. The first time she sat up on her own, I was at work, and she was home with Chris. She loves saying "dadadadada", but when she is upset or angry she say "mamamamamama!" She knows, and loves her Buba very much. She also loves to pull his hair! If we let her, she crawls all over the place, and gets into everything, and she will pull herself into a standing position whenever she gets a chance. If we put her in the walker, she RUNS! She loves baby food, and seems to be self weaning herself from nursing (I am okay with this because I can use my breaks at work for breaks and not feeling like a dairy cow).

Christian will be 10 next Saturday and Gabriella will be 8 months old a week from Monday! Where has my baby gone? They are both growing up so fast!

Well, My mother in law and I took Gabby to The Picture People today and had her picture taken. All the pictures were AWESOME... but I only got the 2 free ones, as money is a bit tight right now. As soon as their server is up and running I can show y'all the poses we did not purchase, but for now, here are the two we did get.

Life in the fast lane

As you have noticed (or maybe not) I have not been doing much updating lately. Well, work keeps me busy, and then I like to spend time with the family when I get home. I have a long weekend coming up, so I plan to give a big update soon. There are some New Pictures on our Photo Blog. Enjoy!

What to say, when there's nothing to say...

I really have nothing to say.... But I have a few pictures. Life has been weird, to say the least.... Between Julie's accident, and the plane crash that killed an old high school classmate of mine, and a couple deaths at church, it seems like it is just attack after attack after attack. Some of my friends at work are afraid to be my friends because of all the people I know who are suffering and dying lately.... That being said, let's have a cheerful note..... New pictures!

Gabby with my grandparents in San Antonio (9/23/2006)

Gabby chilling in the car...

Gabby loved the mirrors and the bridal shop

Eventful...

Well, it has been an eventful week! Monday was Monday.

Tuesday, we had a visitor on campus, and it was all thanks to one of my students from last year! She won an essay contest! For her prize, one of the Houston Texans, DaShon Polk (NFL) came to school with her. He spoke in chapel to the whole school, and then had some time with just her class in the classroom.

I know not everyone that reads this is a football fan... I am not much of one myself, but I was so proud of her, and I just wanted to highlight her on here!
Wednesday the battery in Chris' car (the car I drive to work so he can have the 4 door with Gabby) died! My mother in law and I were running late in the morning, and we got everything into the car, and then it would not start! So I had to go back inside, tell Chris and then took my car, so he was without a car.

Thursday The same student that won the essay contest, also won a prize from the Houston Astros (baseball). She got free tickets and a bunch of other goodies because she sold the most in our school fund raiser. Also on Thursday, one of our 5th graders broke his leg playing soccer at recess.
Friday, After a LONG day at work, I got home 30 minutes earlier than usual and got to spend a lot of good time with Chris and Gabby. Christian seems to distance himself a lot lately.... We are not quite sure why. Gabby and I played for a while on the floor, and all that fun stuff.... but every time her daddy was out of her sight, she would let me know that that was unacceptable!
Saturday we got up around 9am and got ready to leave for a get together at my old High School EHS. We got to see all the changes that were made around campus, and let me tell you, that place looks like a college now! I am feeling a bit jealous that it was not that way when I went there! But, oh well, the tuition is now $18,500 per year. That does not include food, books, or activities. However, I loved EHS, even though you may have heard me say otherwise at times!
Today is also Gabby's 7 month birthday!!!! Here she is, my little monster!

And then I can't leave you without one of her standing up again!

We have a stander!

Gabby has been standing in her crib lately... and today, while I was on the computer, she started screaming at me, and was standing there chewing on the rail! It was the funniest thing! I guess I need to start raising the rail...

Quick little update...

Not a lot going on these days. I work Monday-Friday (had this past Monday off for Labour Day) I love weekends, because I get family time. Teaching K-2 is interesting, but also a challenge. First and second grade are easy, but kindergarten is still taking a lot of patience. I am enjoying the innocence of the Kindergarten, but not the fact that they still act like pre-schoolers. I honestly think that they should only have one classroom... having them change classrooms twice in one day has got to be confusing.

I have been fixing a lot of the computers at the school too. The technology teacher comes to me when there is a problem in the lab or with one of the teacher laptops. I have fixed 12 computers already this school year... and we have only been back to work a month.

That is about it for me... Gabby is growing like a weed... I have a feeling she will be walking by 8 months... maybe 9 months. I keep hearing bad things about baby walkers, but we don't have stairs, and Gabby is only in hers for short periods of time in the day. She loves being able to move around. If she is on the floor, she crawls all over the place, and gets into everything! He 2 favorite things to mess with that she should not mess with are the computer and her daddy's shoes.

Christian is becoming very independent. He is hardly ever home, and that makes us sad... but he has a lot of good friends, and likes to hang out with them. Right now he is at the beach with one of his friends family. I can't believe he will be 10 next month!!!!

Alrighty, I thought this was going to be real short, so I will end here. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Oh, and Bucket's baby number 2 is over due and will be born no later than Monday.... check his blog for more details! The like is on my side bar.

Is it worth it...

Okay... So yesterday at work, I got so PO's that I nearly walked about on my job! I am a teacher at a small Christian School. My lunch break is one of the times that I spend pumping during the day so Gabby will have milk for the next day. Yesterday was pizza day for lunch, and the pizza was running late. So, we kept the kids in the cafeteria to wait, because half of them bring their lunch and already started eating. I went back to my classroom and pumped. When I came back, the pizza still had not arrived! I sat there with the other 2 teachers that share lunch time with me, and talked about a student we were having trouble with. In comes the "principal" and starts getting mouthy with us. She said that she wanted us to take our kids to the classroom when we were told that the lunch would be late, and that we should not have kept them in the cafeteria. Then she told us that we had to take the kids to eat in the classrooms, because the older kids were coming down to eat. I'm sorry, but first of all, the kids stayed in the cafeteria so I could go pump! Secondly, don't you think that the older kids could handle moving to a different room easier!?!?!! The woman should not be a principal!!! She is horrible! I called Chris during my break and told him that if she disrespect me one more time, I am walking out, and he is going back to work! I am so flaming! She thinks that breastfeeding is a privilege, not a right! Isn't that discrimination? Does anyone know of any laws that require her to let me pump at scheduled times??? Women who never breast fed their children just will never understand!

On a happier note, Gabby has been developing so much since I went back to work. She has been sitting up without help now for over a month, she is crawling all over the place, and... wait for it, wait for it.... SHE IS STANDING UP IN HER CRIB! She also loves to play monster... now this is hard to explain, but basically she shakes her arms around and growls..... It is so cute! She has been eating solid foods for a while too! She loves carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, pears, bananas... you name it, she loves it (baby food wise that is). My little booger is growing up so fast! She is over half way there to being a year old!

Well, I am sure this is long enough. You all have things to do... As do I. So till next time..... Click here to see new pictures

25 year old women... *edited*

I thought this was interesting... I got this message on my myspace.... Wouldn't it be nice if I could get paid to do something like this!

Here is a link to the web-ad

We are searching for a 25 year old Mom with a career and family for a new show called "Spotlight 25" for Lifetime TV. The show will feature five, 25 year old women, successful athletes and celebrities who will all discuss what it is like to be 25 in 2006. We want to include a WORK/Family Balance Story which I thought you might possibly be right for. You can read more about the show on my profile page, under the blog section.

This portion of the show will be about what it's like to try to have a job/career and family for a 25 year old these days. We want to show the current struggle for young Moms to balance careers and family. The Mom we are looking for needs to be 25 years old in 2006, and have a job/career she is juggling along with husband and child. (or children) Or, be preparing to go back into the workforce.

If interested in being considered for the show, please send an e-mail, with a current photo and all contact numbers ASAP to: Grubbacasting@aol.com Also, tell us a little bit about your career or desired career and your family and what decisions or changes you are facing right now. We have little time, so please respond immediately if you are interested.

Thank you!

To clear up any confusion...

I teach three grades this year, but I only teach 2 subjects... I teach Math and Bible to Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade. It is weird, we are all trying to get used to it. I need more patience with the Kindergarteners!

Back to school....

Okay, I know it has been a while since I updated, but I figure you guys only look at this when it shows on Matthew's blog that there is a new post... sooooooo, I am back at work.... I started back last Monday, and yesterday was our first day with the kids. My little first graders are so cute! My 2nd graders are great.... but oh those kindergarteners!

I leave you with some pics of Gabby!

Not much new....

Hey everyone... not much new here... I go back to work on Monday.... Check out the new pics!
CLICK ON ME

Here's a little video...

Showing Gabby from before she was born, up until now...

Create your own video for free at www.onetruemedia.com

Happy Anniversary!!!

To My wonderful hubby and me!!

It has been quite a year for us... In our first years we have
* Gotten married (duh)
* Got me preggo (duh)
* Spent many days at the hospital with Christian
* Had a baby (duh)
* Started to plan our move up north
* Had a lot of good times
* Had our share of bad times
* Made dinner for each other (Chris is a much better cook)
* Had a messy house at least once a week
* Blamed each other for the messy house
* Discussed putting Gabby in day care
* Decided not to put Gabby in day care (Chris is going to watch her during the day and work the evening shifts)
* Had one date with no children!! (this past Friday)
* Fallen deeper in love with one another!

There are many more things I could say, but our wonderful daughter has chosen to scream her lungs out at me, guess she is hungry!

New Pics!

On our picture blog

BBC BABIES!

So I was thinking about all the BBC people having babies... I guess it is a never ending process, but so many people that I new at BBC recently had, or soon will have babies, myself included (had one). So I put together a list of the ones I could think of, if you are not on the list, I will add you... If you know of someone not on the list, let me know.... I am curious to see how many there really are!

Babies born to BBC families in 2006:
Micah Anthony MacLeod ~ February 12, 2006 (Jen & Duane)
Gabriella Louise Richards~ February 16, 2006 (Gwyn and Chris)
Benjamin Grant Spear II ~ Date unknown, 2006 (Ben and Jaime)
Micaiah Douglas Crichton Innis~ March 6, 2006 (Dena & Elliott)
Amberly Joy Hadfield~ April 3, 2006 (Kayla and Dane)
Eli Aaron Mack ~ May ? 2006 (Dan and Kim)
Karise Dawn & Grace Lynn ~ May 20, 2006 (Joy and Danny)
Caleb Christopher Stephens ~ June 13th (Chris & Megan)
Carter Cummings ~ June ? 2006 (Wanda and Jeremy)
Abigail Grace Brewer ~ June 21, 2006 (Liz & Mark)
Olivia Keaton Smith ~ June 22, 2006 (Jess (Tibbitts) & Chris Smith)
Violet-Grace Ellen ~ August 17, 2006 (Lisa & _______)

Babies coming soon(within the next 9 months):
Brando & Karen ~ Baby #1
Calvin (Bucket) & Mia ~ Baby #2
Aaron and Nicole Moore are expecting Little Baby Olivia Dec. 4th.
Jess & Justin ~ Baby #2
Steph & Ben ~ Baby #1
Denise & Tyler ~ Baby #1
Angela & Morgan ~ Baby #1

OOOOOOOH GOOD NEWS!!!!

Check out Densie's Blog for more info!

Update....

Well, I have not been writing much lately, just posting pictures, but hey pictures say a lot... But anyway, I though that I would give everyone a bit of an update on what has been going on. Well, I have not been working this summer, besides taking care of my 2 children.... Christian spends about half the week with his mom though. Gabby and I have all day everyday together, and we are sure spoiled to that! I think it is going to hit us both really hard when I go back to work, I think on August 7th? I have been doing so Mystery Shopping to earn a little extra cash. I can take Gabby with me, and sometimes I get free food, gas and even clothes! My mom did a lot of Mystery Shopping when I was growing up, and I always enjoyed going with her... Except when I had to check the gas station bathrooms for her, YUCK! :p

Gabby is growing like a weed! Everytime I look at her, I think "where did my little baby go??" She is about 27in long now, and if I had to guess on her weight, I'd say about 19lb. She is sleeping now, but when she wakes up, I'll check that! Gabby will be going to daycare this fall, as my parents will be moving to Canada in November. Christian starts 4th grade this fall... geez when I met Him and Chris, he was in 1st grade! Kids grow up so fast..... but it seems so slow when you are a kid!

I have been doing a lot around the house this summer... As much as Gabby will let me anyway. I have redone both bathrooms... they are almost done. When I get them finished, I will post pictures. It has taken a lot of time because I put paneling up in one bathroom... I had to cut it, paint it, paint it, paint it, paint it... yes it took 4 coats, and then cut the trim pieces (which by the way is VERY hard to do!) painted those 4 times, and then put them up. Then I had to install the new vanity... this was not to hard, but the pipes and waterlines took a lot of elbow grease! I put the border up in both bathrooms yesterday... all I need to do now is cut, paint and install the floor boards, and put up one more towel rack.... I did not know it took this long to complete this task.

Well, I think that is about it. I will try to update again soon.

A few new pics

First night in the new crib