American Idol fans...that stinks that AMY DAVIS was such a horrible singer... that would've been cool for a Davis girl to go somewhere!
Payton did NOT win the gap baby contest or Regis and Kelly beautiful baby...that stink. Scott is mad...he doesn't think any two year old could be cuter. I wanted a free trip to NYC.
Check out Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Cinderella." It makes me cry...it's awesome...Payton is walking around in a nightgown and tap shoes crying for daddy...that's how I remembered! It's on my playlist, but doesn't work too well.
So, here's some new stuff in our life.
I did my hair again. I took in a photo of Jessica Alba...I guess the color is close, but even the amazing Jenny couldn't transform me. So it is now brownish wih golden highlights???
I missed two days of school this week to go to three trainings:
1. CPI/Nonviolent Crisis Prevention refresher course (where you learn to restrain kids who are attacking...nice)
2. Mentor training (total waste of my time for three hours tuesday night)
3. Motivating the Unmotivated...fabulous!!! For all of my teacher family, if you ever find this around you bya guy named Bob you must go...best training I have ever been to.
Valentine's Day: two dozen roses at school and a steak dinner on the table at home...NICE!!!
Carsyn threw up on Wednesday after school and has been fine since. I have had tons of coworkers and students absent with the flu, so hopefully that's all we get!
Baked three dozen pink and white cupcakes for paties
Went to Marc's last game tonight vs my school...i sat on his side and was sad he lost...our basketball program has ethical and moral issues, to say the least.
That's it...just waiting on a stormy cold front after a 70 degree week...photos when I take some!!!
I went to see 27 Dresses on Friday night...if you were ever in a wedding you must go see it..it is so hilariously accurate and heartwarming!
Carsyn went to cheerleading kids camp at my school on saturday morning and had a blast...pictures after friday's pregame performance. She won best cheer face. the coach, who happens to be one of my best buds, said she should have won them all...but she is biased.
i am reading yet another Jodi Picoult novel...she is an amazing writer.. ihave read several and am now reading 19 minutes...my sister's keeper is the best so far.
feb. 1 is wear red day...to support women with heart disease...go red! i hope to be down 3 pounds by then so can get a new red shirt to wear!
tomorrow i am going to the spa...60 minute hot stone massage and facial. it's a christmas gift i haven't used yet.
i watched uptown girls on tv today and cried cried cried...what a great show!!!
and now...the roast is in the oven, the laundry is allclean, more scrappin got done and i still have another day off.
yeah for martin luther king.
I have a Dream...that for ONE day mommies will get to relax. What do you think???
I lost 3 1/2 pounds!!! Yeah!!! 3 1/2 more til I can buy new clothes! And 13 1/2 more til I'll be truly happy.
NO, he's not pregnant...ha ha ha.
So not much is new in small town Texas. It's been a busy week. Here are the highights.
1. I did 4 scrapbook pages. I am almost done with summer!
2. Payton has pinkeye..or something pinkand gross..we have the drops but had to skip church.
3. I gave my semester exams last week...my freshmen are NOT very smart. Bummer.
4. Scott has another interview next Tuesday for an awesome job...same offer..just a slow process.
5. I did my workout again and it was much much better.
High pointsof the week...
***Starbucks had a problem last week...the system scanned my gift card and did not charge...i got free coffee twice!
***I discovered Fiber One apple cinnamon muffin mix...they are delicious and nutritious!
*** I lost a pound- 6 more til I can buy clothes
***Carsyn and I bought tickets to the Hannah Montana 3D concert movie Feb.2
I am the biggest loser...not as in losing weight, but as in being a complete loser. I gained a lot of weight last year and got really lazy. So I decided I must do something about it. I got the Biggest Loser book and read through it. I found lots of healthy food choices and decided to go for it. Then I had to come up with a workout plan, which basically has to be at 5:30 am...it's my only option. So I bought the Biggest Loser workout DVD yesterday to do. It is 3 different segments...starting with a beginning exerciser. I've never been much of an athlete, but I have always been in pretty good shape. And I've seen the size of these people on the show. So I got up this morning to do the beginning workout, figuring it would be a piece of cake.
Attention target shoppers...you MUST run, not walk, to your nearest dollar spot...there are a ton of fun things for scrapbooking and Valentine's Day...hurry...I am sure supplies are limited!!!
Amy took family photos of us...it's been a long time since we've had a good one. Well, needless to say this was the best. Payton was awful. This is the best we could do.
I figured out the problem!!! Our internet provider downgraded us to a slower version because they hadto put us on a different channel than the rest of the area...apparently our antivirus expired. Anyway...they installed their protection plan so I tried the photo thing again and here you go! A random picture...many to come with christmas in two days!!
I am going crazy now that I can post photos...sorry that some of them are sideways, but at least you get a general idea!
Here's my other Halloween cutie... Marcus was a good sport as usual and dressed up with Payton for her party.
Who's the fairest of them all??? Carsyn, of course! Here's my beauty dressed up for Halloween...gorgeous!!!
Yesterday I picked Marcus up from the high school. He was in a UIL competition and was pretty mad he didn't make it to the finals because he thought he did great. Then I let him take the girls into the local convenient store to get treats. His drumstick had melted and refroze so it was all messed up. He said "Great. What else could go wrong?'
So I thought about it.
Scott has pneumonia and has been in bed all week, the girls are a handful, the weather is ridiculous...complain, complain, complain..."
So I told Marcus a few things.
Lately people around me are having some tragedies as usual and even though life is stressful and tough, it is really good.
My good friend Kierstan got a desperate call from her dad yesterday that he was very sick and needed her to come help him get to the hospital. She was so scared for him. They don't know what's wrong...his next step is a colonoscopy. Kierstan's husband has been in Iraq since Last October and is finally about a month from coming home. Her mother passed away last time Martin was in Iraq. Pray for her!
A girl at my school, who happens to be the reigning Miss Teen Texas got into an accident at lunchtime with her sister. Her little Pontiac convertible lost control and ran into a tree. She is in the hospital. Both girls have skull fractures. Sommer also has a pelvic fracture, a fractured vertabrae, a fractured eye socket and had neurosurgery to relieve pressure in her brain. They had to shave her head and she had the most gorgeous head of hair I have ever seen. Pray for her family!
Three of my closest friends have husbands in Iraq right now and it is so hard for them. Two will return home soon, but most likely after christmas. They were gone last christmas too. The other on just left last week and will miss his oldest son's graduation this spring.
And then I got the Covey's Christmas letter in the mail explaining their tough year with such grace.
So I have come to the conclusion that life is tough but God is tougher. I am so grateful for everything I have. There are so many to pray for. Don't forget about them, because God is listening and can do miracles!
Nothing much going on around here...just the usual busy lives.
Payton has bronchitis. She keeps me up at night coughing. So I am tired. And I have a headache. So my students are watching Iron Will since we just read White Fang and will do a compare/contrast essay. Anything for a break!
Paris Hilton, for those of you who are confused, is our dog. We have two pit bulls...leave your snide comments out...scott assures me they are great and are safe. Anyway, the male is Tito Ortiz...he looked like a fighter so I named him after one of our favorite UFC fighters. The female is Paris Hilton..she is platinum blonde so it works. Paris had three puppies monday night. They are so cute!
Carsyn informed me that Miss Kitty ( her teacher) no longer calls her a drama queen...now she's a drama princess. How funny.
How much longer do I have to teach? I want a break...or a snow day! Maybe I should jus take a day off and stay in bed.
Yesterday we were driving home from day care. Apparently Carsyn saw a cross on a church. The rest goes something like this.
"Mommy, is that the cross Jesus died on?" (yes)
" How did he get up there? Did he crawl up there?"
(no, he was put up there and nailed through his hands and feet)
"Owie...that would hurt. I wish I would not get stuck on a cross. Did Jesus cry?"
(yes, I am sure he did)
"Oh, then is Jesus a girl?"
(no, Jesus is a boy, why?)
"Cuz, boys don't cry, only baby boys, only girls cry when they are big"
(I explain that sometimes when they are really sad or really hurt boys cry too)
"Maybe they tied him up around his belly. But if you tie someone up around their throat you choke the breaf out of them and they die. Maybe they tie him up around his hands and feet and take him to jail."
The conversation continued for a while...I just turned up the music and drove on. Man, she is creative and thoughtful...kinda scary!
OK, I officially give up. I will now be a journaling blogger only since I just can't figure out what the deal is with photos. Amy will be here in less than a month and will smooth it all out for me I just know it!!!
So we are still here. As usual, we are very very busy. Here's what's up with us in the last month or two.
1. SCott got a new job. He hated RSC and they hated him...life in the sales world. He is working for Factory Builders and is in sales. He deals with homebuilders and sells all kinds of high end appliances and cabinetry. His new job is very flexible and he loves it.
2. Scott got a new truck...the old one was from RSC. It is a huge Dodge Ram Diesel...I don't know the details but I know it is awesome.
3. I hit Scott's new truck...it has a huge dent in the side of it right now and my tail lights are gone...i didn't see it...it's black...it was dark out...i am sorry!!!
4. We had thanksgiving at home alone. IT sounded lonely at first, but turned out to be wonderful. It was a fun time for us and we had tons of food.
5. Payton broke a necklace and stuck a plastic bead up her nose on Thanksgiving...SCott had to take her to the doctor in his dented truck on Friday morning to get it removed.
6. Marcus got his bottom braces on today and they are killing him!
7. Marcus got all A's...even a 91 in Algebra...so he is getting treated to a celebratory dinner at Red Lobster...his choice...this saturday.
Other than that, the girls are getting big, and so is Marcus...he is taller than me now. Payton is a wild child...if you are coming to visit for Christmas, get ready. I can not be held responsible for anything she says or does. I am really trying, but she is just crazy.
My hair is now shorter and pretty much red...I call it Merlot...it's sort of the color of red wine...it was my hairstylists choice when I gave her free reign and I totally love it.
It's almost Christmas!!!!!!!
Finally...two months later...Carsyn's birthday party. I know, it was August 15 but I was having technical difficulties which thankfully I finally figured out. Carsyn had a Little Mermaid swim party and had a blast. Her friends (and mine) were there. Here are some highlights...including a picture so hideously cute that it will HAVE to be shown at all slide shows in school and to all future boyfriends. You'll know it when you see it!
Just my luck...blogger is having difficulties this second...I will post pictures asap...check for many posts in the immediate future!
Yeah... We finally got our computer back and running! So here are a few photo catch-ups from the last month or so...starting with Ohio and finishing with my birthday.
So the computer is supposed to be fixed today, which means we can FINALLY post photos again. It's been a while.
Life at the Elliott ranch is hectic as usual. We are all back to school. Marcus has football practice after school daily and is fighting hard for a spot on the A-team as a wide receiver. Payton is finally getting used to her new teachers. She had to be pulled off of me kicking and screaming and throwing a total fit all last week when I dropped her off. But she was fine all day. She made it through a whole week with only one bite and one scratch. She is definitely getting into her terrible two's...much more terrible than I remember with Carsyn.
Carsyn is still recovering from surgery. The actual surgery and the day after went great. However, now she is healing and that hurts...her throat, her mouth, her ears, her head. And her breath...oh my word does it stink! she is getting used to sitting around doing nothing...but it hasn't even been a week. We'll see how she does.
School is ok for me this year. I have new classes and new kids and new chaos as usual. The drive is getting old...next year I need to find something closer to home.
By the way...Carsyn and I watched Yo Gabba Gabba yesterday and loved it. "There's a party in my tummy, oh yeah , oh yeah." What a crazy psychadelic show!!! Very retro.
And for the weekly Hills update...a little let down last night. Not much going on with my LA friends. But I did read in a magazine today that Jason (LC's ex) was in rehab last spring. Interesting.
Carsyn got her tonsils and adenoids taken out this morning. She did well with the surgery. The medicine they gave her first to make her a little more calm was so funny...she was flat on her back, smiling and laughing and trying to speak with slurred speech. Scott and I couldn't stop laughing. The surgery was quick. He said her tonsils were awfully large but came out well. She had a hard time waking up...she cried and cried until they gave her a few more doses of pain meds. We went to a recovery room for a mandatory 4 hours. She did not sleep one bit. She was awake the whole time and wanted to eat. Sometimes she was crying and wanted her grandma. Sometimes she was walking all over the room...complete with iv...laughing and joking. The iv was the worst thing because she wanted it out.
We are home and she is FINALLY taking a long nap. yeah!!! Keeping her calm for two weeks is going to be toughbut she is doing great so far!
By the way...she took daddy baby along for moral support...the entire hospital staff got a kick out of that big ugly baby doll! They all thought it was her baby brother and agreed is was the ugliest doll they'd ever seen! Daddy baby went through surgery and recovery with her!
So the home computer is still being repaired.... no new pictures to post yet. But there are many ready to go when we do finally get it back! I had my first week back at inservice...a little dull as usual, but good to get back into the swing of things! My students start on Monday...we are almost at 2400 students last I heard. Wow, that's way too many. We now have portable buildings all around the school....our administrators call it our FEMA community. It's pretty bad.
Speaking of pretty bad, Carsyn's tonsils are still awful. We went to see the ENT last Monday and he said they were almost touching. She is getting her tonsils and adenoids out this Thursday. It seems like something happens the first week back to school almost every year for me!!! Marcus is going to have to miss his 4th day of school to stay home with Payton...not sure what other option we have. Thanks goodness I have a stay-at-home mom friend who lives right by my school and will let Carsyn rest at her house at the end of the next week so she doesn't have to go back to day care too soon.
Well I guess I should go...a little ballerina who is currently on her 6th outfit of the day (and it's only 10:45 am) is dying to go swimming. Talk to you later!
The big day is FINALLY here. We have literally been counting down for months. For those of you out of the loop, it is HIGH School Musical 2 premiere day. You all have to watch it tonight on the Disney Channel. Great music, appropriate for all ages, and Zach Ephron could not be any more adorable. So check it out! Carsyn is going to school today in her new HSM shirt, hat and buttons with stickers to share. Yeah!!!
Ok, to all my Hills fans out there. This is our weekly post show discussion group....kinda like a book club but much easier. So what did you think?
1. Lauren...didn't you feel so sad for her when she went home to see her mom?
2. Heidi...she had a boob job and a nose job. Too bad she didn't have a brain job or a common sense job...what an idiot. She has NO friends except Jen Bunny who has the biggest nose ever!
3. Spencer...oh my goodness...the Hollywood grafitti wall? What an idiot.
4. Do you think Heidi and Spencer really started the rumors? I think Heidi is a complete idiot and is totally naive to the fact that Spencer did it. Just my thinking.
What else?????
Of all the times to NOT be computer ready...this is ridiculous! Scott and I went to get matching tattoos on Saturday...now that's love. We took in the previously posted photo of carsyn's hand doing "Ilove you" in sign language. He drew that with three flowers around the wrist,,,one for each kid. It's on my ankle and definitely permanent, but is really awesome. Scott has his on his arm. We will show pictures soon!
Today I got my haircut...short! I got it really short in teh back...Jenny calls is a stacked bob. I feel so stylish now. Again...pictures will come when I figure it all out or get my other computer back!
Hey everyone. I am still here and have just returned from a 10 day trip to Ohio to see the family. Unfortunately our computer is still in the repair stages so I am using my Mac laptop from school. Normally it is more user friendly, but I can't figure out the photo program for the life of me. Amy took a millon photos while we were there and they are all amazing. Please check her site for postings of the girls and Marcus...I just realized that hundreds of photos and 10 days but not one photo of me. Oops.
check it out!
www.acovey.blogspot.com
