Engagement!!

I know it's been almost 2 months since I last updated but I figured that just in case I have some very dedicated readers, this bit of information is certainly worth posting! Phil and I are engaged!!

Last Tuesday night (7-6-09) Phil and I were hanging out. We had made plans for me to make him dinner and then we were going to watch some episodes of Friends that we just bought on DVD. We ate dinner and had no room for dessert, so we decided that we would take an intermission from Friends to eat dessert. When that time came, Phil kept spilling crumbs all over my comforter -- so I told him to clean it up! He brushed the crumbs onto the floor and I yelled at him. So he got down on the floor to clean up the crumbs, and looked up at me (on one knee) and said, "Elizabeth, will you marry me?" I looked at him and didn't believe that he was really asking, so I asked, "Are you really asking me?" He told me he was, and apparently (according to Phil) I didn't say yes, but nodded my head. Then he pulled out the ring from his laptop case, put it on my shaking hand, and asked, "So, is that a yes?" And I said, "Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!!"

We are so happy!!

Oh, Snap! link

If you want to watch that "Oh, Snap!" clip, here's the link! I just think it's hilarious!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFXL9p6zKSs

I'm Gonna Miss This

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG9XfJxMY8A

Sometimes all I need is to listen to this song to remind me to look for the good in my sittuations. It's crazy - at first when I think about things that I'm going to miss, I think about my future. I know that I will miss the things that I'm looking forward to when they're over, but it takes a lot for me to think about how I'll miss my life right now. I've been counting down the days, weeks, and months for so long now that it's become my total focus - just getting through this season of my life and on to the next. But when I'm honest with myself I'm really going to miss my kids, my boss, my classroom, coming home to my family, not having homework, and countless other little details about this season of my life that I overlook on a daily basis. It shouldn't be about getting through to the next day - it should be about savoring every moment that I have where I am right now, because chances are, I won't be able to relive it.

Oh, Snap!

I titled this post "Oh, Snap!" because it is part of a quote from the movie Bolt that Rachel, Phil, and I have been quoting all weekend long. There are 2 pigeons talking to Bolt, the TV show dog:

Pigeon #1 - "We have an idea for your show! My associate, Ronald, will take it from here. Ronald?"
Pigeon #2 - (Just stands there)
Pigeon #1 - "Wait for it..."
Pigeon #2 - (Just stands there)
Pigeon #1 - "Wait for it..."
Pigeon #2 - (Stands there a moment longer) "Aliens."
Pigeon #1 - "Oh, snap!"

Well, we thought it was funny!

For Mother's Day today we went out to lunch... and guess who was there! Richard Gere!!!! He was having dinner with his family. I didn't see him, but my dad did. It was very exciting. I guess his mom went to school with the manager or something... and so they go to dinner there often. I can't imagine how hard it must be for him to just go out to dinner - anywhere - with his mother on Mother's Day. He was wearing a hat so as not to attract attention, but it didn't do much. I think just about everyone in the restaurant knew he was there.

I'm teaching Kid's Church on the 31st. And my roomies are coming to visit the weekend after next. That will be fun! I was never able to find a job in Rochester, so I'm staying here for the summer. So let us restart the countdown: About 3 months left. I'll be going back to school a week early for SA training, and the week before that I'm taking a vacation to New Jersey - where one of my roommates (Andrea) lives. So there's lots to look forward to, and a very short time left to be here.

Not sure yet what's going to happen with KC Camp... right now it looks like I'll be teaching unless someone else steps up. We'll see! And as far as Phil and I go... well, hopefully you'll be looking at pics of a ring soon! ;) Just a heads-up! (No pressure Phil... actually, I take that back -- a lot of pressure!!) :-P

:)

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. It's kinda tough to find things to write about when every day seems to be the same as the one before. I am writing this morning from Phil's house. He had to go to a rehearsal this morning, and won't be back for a few hours so I figured it would be a good time to check email, update blogs, and play games on Facebook!

Last night Phil and I (finally) watched the last two episodes of Friends season 9. We've been working our way through them in order... only one more season to go! Phil was glad that Rachel and Joey wound up together... I have mixed feelings about it. It's still in my mind that Rachel and Ross should get married!

My sisters and mom don't have school/work this week. That's one bad thing about working at a daycare -- whenever kids don't have school, we can't take time off because we have more kids than usual. Oh, well. It means more hours, right?

I have been working on the details of getting back to Roberts this summer. It's all riding on one detail at this point: whether I can get a job at Childtime, and whether I can get a full-time position there. I interviewed (over the phone) for a position with Student Calling and I got it! But that's only 10 hours a week. If I can get that full-time job, I'll be able to live in Beeson with my roommates and work 2 jobs and take an online course second session.

I suppose I should stop boring you with my mundane life. Maybe I'll play sudoku on Facebook?

Until next time,
Elizabeth

Reason #4

And today's reason is...

I'm their "mama"

I know that the parents of my kids wouldn't be too happy to hear this, but it's true: I've become a second mother to these children! When I leave the room, Christina* cries like it's her job. Before I leave at the end of the day, I have to get a hug from every young one in my room. Before they leave, they blow me kisses. Not to mention they often call me "mama." And I must admit -- I love being "mama."

I have to add a side-note:
Today I was reading a book that had a picture of a cow in it. I told Nick,* "Say 'Cow,' Nick!" And he said, "Moo!"

*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality of the children in my class :)

Reason #3

Okay, Okay... I know that I haven't exactly been keeping up on my reasons... but I have been thinking about them throughout the day - - and most days I come up with one! Here is today's:

I tooted!

This morning I was doing paperwork (filling out what the kids were eating for breakfast and such) when I heard one of the kids announce "I tooted!!" Now, there's something that you should know about 2-year-olds. If they have something to say, they'll say it - and if they don't think you heard them the first time, they'll repeat it. Louder. And again and again and again. Until you acknowledge their existance and what they are saying.

"I tooted!" "I tooted!!" "I tooted!!!!"

Let me tell you - sometimes it's not only annoying.

Reason #2

Yesterday my reason for liking work came by 7:15am!

The way my kids sit in my lap

Yesterday morning Carmen (her name has been changed for confidentiality) reminded me to appreciate the little things when she sat in my lap to hear a story. When my kids give me a book to read, I sit cross-legged on the floor so someone can sit in my lap. Since I only have one lap, there is often some fighting about who gets to sit there... but they have smartened-up lately and now one child will sit in my lap, one on my right knee, and another on my left knee. That only leaves two kids without lap space. It's cute.

Carmen gave me her book and then turned around, stuck her but out, and shuffled her feet backwards until she got to my lap. It's the cutest thing ever!! And she's the cutest when she does it (though all my kids do it to some extent). Then, when it's time to get up, she has to heave herself up two or three times, ricking front and back and front and back, until I give her a little push. Very cute! :)

Reason #1

I have decided that as a way to like work more and as a way to update my blog more often, I will come up with one thing that I like about work each day. So here's my first: Reason #1 to enjoy work is.... (dum dun dun duuuum)

When I sing a song, I get applauded!

Today I asked my kids what they wanted to sing and one of them told me (as she always does) "ABC!" Another told me her usual choice: "a wow wow" (which, in 20-month-old terms is "Row Row Row Your Boat"). Since we had already sung "a wow wow," we sang ABC's. Or, should I say, I sang ABC's. Usually a few of them join me, but today they got distracted and a few of them even walked away while I was singing. So I felt very alone in what turned out to be my solo alphabet song. But when I was finished, one of my kids said "YAY!" and clapped her hands for me! That's today's reason to love work! I always get applause when I'm finished singing. And I'm sure it's just about the only place that will happen for me. ;)

Anxiety

I'm feeling a little anxious right now. It seems like this semester and my whole plan for staying home to make money is blowing up in my face. The 12 college credits that I'm getting through a certification at work is actually going to cost me over $400 when I thought that I would get a scholarship to pay for it in full. I got a mailing today telling me that a payment on one of my loans is overdue. I still owe my parents about $400 for tuition last semester AND I haven't paid for my class at OCC yet. I was supposed to be saving this semester, not spending. Please keep this in your prayers... if I don't save this semester I don't know what I'll end up doing next semester.

It's been a while...

...sorry about that. I feel like all I do anymore is work and sleep and work and sleep. Oh well. This weekend I'm at home (being held here against my will -- ok, it's not that dramatic). Tomorrow I'm going to have to go to school to use the textbook that's on reserve for my class to do my homework. My goal is to not buy that book.

I went to a 20s/30s event at my church today. It was a lot of fun -- it was held in our adventure center and we did a lot of getting to know you games. A great way to start the weekend! It was kind of depressing at first, though, to be honest because it seemed like everyone was coming as couples... and, of course, Phil's in Rochester.

My dad is home from the hospital (he had open heart surgery last week) and he's doing very well. He has had a rough day, I think, but overall considering what he's been through he's recovering very well. It's hard for him to sleep through the night, and when he doesn't get enough sleep it makes the day difficult. I think he got 3 hours last night.

As for me, I already said that I'm working and sleeping, working and sleeping. I enjoy my job... but sometimes I have to remind myself of that fact. These toddlers are certainly keeping me busy!! And they're hurting my back too... My mom got me a gift certificate for a 1 hour massage and I'm wondering if it would be better to use it now or later.

I'm working 7:30-4:30 every day next week! So, in other words, you won't be hearing from me for a while :-P

Until next time...

And it begins...

Well, tomorrow is the first day of classes, and I'm not at school. I've been trying to keep my mind off of it, and it's been working pretty well. Keeping the radio on, cleaning my room, and writing a mission statement for myself for the semester are three things that I have been up to tonight! I also made a candle (kinda) and did one and a half loads of laundry.

Last Friday I got really sick. There has been something going around the in the infant rooms at my daycare, and of course I've been with the infants for the past two weeks, so I picked it up! It was miserable, especially since I was supposed to go to Rochester to see Sam and Phil on Friday. Thankfully it turned out to only be a 24 hour bug and I was able to go yesterday and stay until today.

I got a promotion!! I will be the lead teacher in the Toddler 1 room. I think I'll get to start sometime this week, but I'm not sure. This means better pay, better hours, more hours, and a more predictable schedule. It's certainly a God thing -- especially since the room that I'll be teaching in is where a lot of the kids that I was with a lot last summer are (I was with them in the infant room).