I am horrible at keeping a blog. It might have something to do with the fact that for the last year and a half I've been working anywhere from 60-90 hours a week in car sales. Thankfully that part of my life is OVER!! The last few months have been filled with wonderful changes. I was moved to a 40 hour/week max position at work that doesn't require me to sell anything. Now, I loved sales, but I MISSED my family! The money was awesome, but I was at work before my kids were awake and home after they'd fallen asleep. It. Wasn't. Worth. It. I love my new position, and I give ALL credit to a loving Heavenly Father who heard His daughter's pleas.
Pretty much the only thing constant in our lives right now is change. I've changed positions at work, Jayden is starting Kindergarten, Dan is working at building his business as we wait to apply for different Pharmacy schools, Karah is just a whirlwind of energy, and our family is growing. First we got a cat, Percy, AKA "Prince Perseus Dastan Richardson". He is a Siamese and the perfect animal. I don't know of many cats who would allow themselves to be thrown into a tub of water without yowling, hissing, scratching, or biting, but he did. We rescued him from Prairie Paws and we haven't regretted it once. He loves to play and he really is one of the family. I've never known a cat like him. About 2 months after we got Percy, we discovered that we were going to have another addition to our family. I am due March 10th. This pregnancy has me all over the place. With the exception of my anger when I was pregnant with Karah, I've always been able to control my emotions. I didn't cry at Dove commercials or sappy love songs, and I began to think that was just urban legend. Let me assure you, it is not. I kid you not, I cried at a radio commercial the other day. And at work when one of the guys went out of his way to bring me some food. The funniest part is I feel completely liberated and completely idiotic at the same time. Hopefully this kid makes up his mind so I can have my sanity back...
Jayden started school today. Kindergarten. I did my best to be strong for him and make this a special day for him even though it was breaking my heart. We got up, got him ready (and during this process I about gave up for life on getting him ready. The kid was driving.me.nuts.), and walked him to school. Grandma Kathi came over and helped us finish getting ready and walked with our family. I am glad she came because she was a pillar of strength. She'd not only done it before, but 5 times, and she managed to survive, so I had hope. It was a bitter-sweet walk. I was so excited for Jayden and the new adventures ahead of him, but I was also so sad and jealous of that Kindergarten teacher that I now have to share him with. He is my. BABY. And he shouldn't be old enough to be walking to school and spending all day there. We got to the school and made it to his classroom. We'd been there before for Meet the Teacher Night a week before, so Jayden knew where to put his backpack and where to sit. No tears from him, no begging me to stay, and I had mixed emotions about that. I was so proud of his bravery and excitement, and offended that he was okay with me just leaving him there. Before I left, I asked him for a hug. He wrapped his arms around my neck, and then, unprovoked, kissed my cheek. I lost it. He is such a sweet and loving child, and I didn't want to let him go. I wanted to scoop him up in my arms and make a break for the front door. Instead I did let him go and we left for home to prepare for Karah's birthday
At first I thought Karah's 4th birthday and Jayden's first day of school falling on the same day, coupled with this highly emotional pregnancy was a cruel, cruel joke of the Man Upstairs. But, He knows better than I. Karah and I had decided that we were going to have a Girl's Day Off (out) and we invited Grandma Kathi to join us. We got home from dropping Jayden off, painted Karah's fingernails and toenails (hot pink and hot purple...absolutely gorgeous), and headed off on our adventure. First, Karah opened 2 birthday cards. One from Granna and Double G, and the second from Geoffery the Giraffe from Toys R Us. She got $10 from Granna and Double G, and a $3 off coupon from Geoffery. We decided that we would go shopping at Toys R Us. I had already planned on taking her jewelry and hair accessory shopping as part of our day, and the mall and Toys R Us are right next to each other. Toys R Us wasn't open when we got there, but we discovered a store called "$1.00 Jewelry" during our wait. I am so glad Toys R Us was closed!!! I had a budget and was afraid that I wouldn't be able to get her more than 2 or 3 pieces. We walked out with 4 necklaces, 2 head bands, a coin purse, and 6 toe rings (that fit her fingers PERFECTLY, I might add) all for less than $12!! And it isn't cheapo plastic jewelry, either! Each necklace actually had a pair of earrings to match and we gave those to Grandma Kathi. Karah was so precious with picking out her jewelry. At one point I think we had half the store in our basket, but she was very good with narrowing everything down. I would hold up 2 things and let her pick which one. No whining, crying, begging, or negotiating took place. She simply chose the one she liked best out of the two and moved on. We made our way over to Toys R Us and Karah was so excited about being able to use her money. She had several ideas (some of them got put back on the shelf immediately when she turned her back....) and finally settled on a hot pink frilly umbrella. With her $3 off card, she got change back! She was very practical in her choice and was an absolute doll when we walked out to the car. For those of you up North: it doesn't have to be raining to use an umbrella. In fact, when it is 112 degrees outside and you are "Code Orange" (the next and highest code being "Code Red") it is very wise to use an umbrella. See, that way you protect yourself from spontaneously combusting due to the heat... After Toys R Us, Grandma Kathi took us to eat at one of the very few places I can stomach at the moment: The Golden Corral. I love buffets! And so does Karah! We made healthy plates first, and then Karah got to choose her dessert(s). After lunch, we made a few more stops and finally headed home for some "Beauty Rest" (WHICH, Karah informed me she didn't need because she was already more beautiful...). *sigh* She did end up taking a nap, thank goodness, because I sure needed one, too! Heavenly Father knew I needed this wonderful day with Karah to help me cope with Jayden growing up. We woke up and picked Jay up from school. This Mommy was sure a happy one at 3:20 pm!!
When I asked Jay how his first day of school was, this was his response: "Boring. I didn't get to practice my reading at. all. She just sat there and read to us!". After more probing, I discovered he really enjoyed himself. I think he was just hoping for more of a challenge. His teacher did tell me that he is already ahead of his class, and that he might be bored for a little while as they catch up. She encouraged us to keep working with him at home and helping him continue to progress. It was "business as usual" when Jay got home, and we had an enjoyable afternoon together.
We had dinner, cake, ice cream, and presents at Grandma Kathi and Grandpa Rick's. Karah got a flashlight (Mommy), Sleeping Bag and hair accessories (Grandma and Grandpa), Jewelry Box (Daddy), and a Baby Doll (Jayden). She had a pretty sweet haul!
All in all, today goes in my Top 10 All Time Best Days Ever category. The kids behaved (for the most part), and we all just had an all-out good day. The only thing that could make it better would be if Karah would settle down and go to bed already.......
