Kisses and Cuddles

So it was a lazy Wednesday the other day. I don't work on Wednesday's unless a teacher at my school needs me to sub for them. Mikayla is always still sleeping when Alec gets home from school and Kris works late on Wednesdays. So it was one of those rare times when I had Alec all to myself. It rained most of the day and was still rainy when he got home...so I knew he wouldn't be in a rush to get outside to play. He came in and I said..."come cuddle with me on the couch." And he did. And so on the couch we cuddled, no interruptions from Mikayla or dad. He is so big now, not the same as when he was little and could curl up in my lap. Those days, sadly, are gone. But he still cuddled up close and I scratched his back as he read to me from his Literacy textbook. It was nothing big, no huge ordeal, but it was special to me because now that he is seven, mommy isn't the one he wants anymore...he wants to be outside, playing football and games with his friends. I don't know when that transition happened...it just did. There was no defining moment when Mommy wasn't "IT" anymore...I just slowly became mom, instead of mommy. And with that drop of the "my" on mom, came many changes. Independence. That's what Alec wants right now. And those times on the couch or in bed before he falls to sleep are numbered and disappearing. And I need to remember to slow down, take advantage of them like I did this week, before it's too late and he is off driving away to cuddle with another girl, and that girl surely won't be his mom. :-(

Mikayla showing her Perry Pride at the Pep Rally

There were so many people there....totally amazing.

We walked by schools over to the football field. Each elementary in the district competed for the school spirit award. AND OUR SCHOOL WON!

Alec and I

Daddy and Alec

Alec and Noah

Mikayla....she LOVED the pep rally. She really liked watching the cheerleaders....which of course made mommy happy. Like mother, like daughter!

Ready for the pep rally to begin!

This was at one of recent football games. Only two more games! Tomorrow is the last game before the championship game and who is the best team in the Perry Flag Football league? BIG RED BABY! We are 5-0! The only undefeated team:-)

Mike, Diane, Percy, Maggie, Annie, Victoria, Alec and Mikayla...I was so glad they came up to watch a game. It meant so much to Alec.

Mom and dad were there too!

We celebrated Alec's 7th birthday in mid-September. My dad took all the pictures but it's not letting me download them:-( I will try to figure out what is going on so I can get them up on here soon. It was a super fun Mario swim party:-)

I'm Back! And this time, I am staying around!

Well everyone, it's been quite some time. I decided to take the summer off from blogging because I had a lot going on and to be quite honest, was in a funk and didn't want to blog. But two weeks ago I was sitting out front watching Alec and Kris toss around the football when I noticed that the tree down the road, which is the same size as ours, was perfectly shaped. I looked at our tree, we planted it the summer that we moved in here at Alec's first birthday, and I noticed how mis-shaped it is. We never trimmed it properly and let it just "grow" in it's own way. At that moment I started thinking about my life...how it has turned out. How my life resembles the tree in MY front yard, and not my neighbors. Why? Well because I didn't do things according to plan. I didn't finish college right out of high school like 90% of my graduating class. Instead, I dropped out to marry a man I had only known for a few months before getting engaged. I then didn't wait to have kids until I had established my career...we had Alec early, and young. I was only 22 when he was born and Kris and I had only been married 1.5 years. I went back to college after having Alec and then, we added to our family in a totally different way, through adoption. As my twenties are quickly coming to an end, I found myself looking back, thinking about all that I had accomplished over the past ten years. And instead of being in a funk over not being able to find a teaching job, I found myself feeling blessed...and happy.

So back to that tree. The tree down the road is a lot of people. The people who took the conventional path in life and did things in the "expected" order and in the "expected" way. Perfectly rounded and the true picture of a tree. I, however, am the tree in my own front yard, that has scattered branches here and there, signifying the fact that my courses in life were not the same as most others I know. But the thing about those trees...they are exactly the same height, still beautiful in their own way...they just got there in different ways. But in the end...they got there...grew, became strong, and took root.

So like I said, my twenties are almost over and I can say as I enter my thirties in just a few short months that I came full circle like I had hoped to in my twenties. Why? Because I did get a teaching position. And not just any position, but with the school district that I wanted to be working for the most. I had no connections, no real "in." But I did have one thing....God. He knew and has always known what my plan in life would be. And while I have questioned it along the way, I trusted Him. And He has always come through. It's just been in His timing and His way...not mine.

So here I am...back to blogging...because, well, I miss all of you! So...here's to blogging again, starting a new phase of my life, and to being that mis-shapen tree!

All of these pictures were taken over the summer! This is the best I can do to "catch up."

Alec, Mikayla and I at the Richland Carrousel Park
Picking berries at the Blueberry Patch

Mikayla riding the Carrousel..she LOVED it!

Ready for her first ballet class!

She was so, SO excited. She loves ballet!

Can you tell???

Cheering for Alec at his football game

This was at his first game and he is doing AWESOME at football!

I scanned his football picture...it turned out so cute:-)

Running back to the bench after half time.

She loves watching the games

Alec and daddy

The cake I made for Alec's 7th birthday...he turned 7 August 30th

Mmmmmmmm......

Me and my kiddo's

Alec and I after he got off the bus on his first day of school

Kris and Alec on the First Day

Alec and Kayla on his birthday...my pictures got mixed up but I am not reloading them all.

Alec with his first day of school chocolate chip cookies. We got him balloons too:-) It's a first day of school tradition around here!

Waiting for the bus to come

I can't get over how BIG he looks here!

Alec posing at the family picnic we went to in July

He loves playing by this bridge at the park in Lexington

Mikayla loved playing at the park where the family picnic was too!

Hanging out..I used to play on this very same thing when I was her age! Literally...same park...same play thing. Crazy!

Kayla and I on the 4th of July

Great Lakes Science Center

We went there in late June I believe...the kids LOVED it. Very cool place.

Kayla on the 4th of July at Joe and Gina's house

Hanging out in Christian's play house

Daddy and Alec on the 4th

Mikayla's 3rd birthday party...eating her birthday cupcake

Birthday Girl! This was two weeks after her surgery and she was still not fully recovered.

Pin the Jewel on the Tiara:-)

Me and some of my Guat-Mom friends...all their kiddo's were at Mikayla's party. It was so much fun!

Her birthday cake was so cute...It had a purse on it and the purse was cake. It was YUMMY too. But I had a hard time cutting it since it was so cute!

Family picture

Aunt Gina and Mikayla:-)

The proud parents with the birthday girl

Her professional birthday picture I had done. She is finally NOT scared to have her pictures taken. I was one happy mommy!

At the Massillon Car Cruise-In waiting for fireworks

Mikayla a few days after her surgery. She was really feeling bad here but wanted to have her picture taken. Poor thing. Lovey and Baby Jaguar didn't leave her side for weeks after the surgery. (And yes, I know that isn't a Jaguar but you tell Mikayla that!)

All dressed up on her birthday!

Blowing out her candles!

She was really trying hard to feel better here but was just not...that surgery was ROUGH!

Kris and Alec at the Massillon Cruse-In. I love this picture of them!

Mikayla's Surgery and other stuff.....

First off...thank you for the outpouring of support for Mikayla's surgery. While the surgery itself went well on Wednesday...she is not doing well from it. She is my high tolerance baby girl but this surgery has her really down and out. She was up all night last night in pain and it's just been awful. But we are hanging in there, waiting for her to turn the corner. Thankfully, my mom and dad were able to take Alec for a few days so we could really concentrate on Mikayla...she NEEDED us and still needs us badly.

Summer may be here...but we are just as busy as ever! We have had non-stop things going on and it's been a whirlwind since my last day of teaching last week. Tonight my mom brought Alec back up to Massillon and I was able to go to Alec's last t-ball game while mom stayed here with Kayla. She was so happy to her see her grandma. So they cuddled and I got to enjoy seeing my son play ball! Got lots of pictures but I already had these uploaded on this post just waiting for me to write so I will post t-ball pics another day. Alec's team played the team that has four of my students on it so that was cool to see them :-) They were happy to see me and it was nice to meet some of the parents I had yet to meet.

Last weekend we went to my grandma and grandpa's 60th wedding anniversary party. They also renewed their vows and it was just beautiful. I am posting a bunch of pics of it. I rarely see this side of my family...it's been over 10 years since I have seen some of my cousins so it was nice to be there, all of us, for the first time in a LONG time.

Hopefully Mikayla will make a turn soon and she can get ready to enjoy her big birthday party next Friday! I can't wait for it, princess themed of course, and it will be so much fun. Lots of her little friends will be there. I can't believe she will be three already...wow...where on EARTH has the time gone??!!

Mom and Mikayla at the anniversary party

Dad comforting an over-tired Mikayla who did not sleep the entire three hour drive down.

Grandma and Me

Grandma and Grandpa with our side of the family

Look how cute they are in this picture....amazing...60 years!!

Me with my grandma and grandpa...this is my dad's mom and dad in case you were wondering.

All the cousins (grandchildren) with grandma and grandpa

The ENTIRE Family

Alec and Me

My dad and his sisters with grandma and grandpa.

Alec with his great-grandparents!

Dad walking grandma down the aisle

Alec with his 2nd cousin Devin

Alec learned to ride his bike! He just took off like it was a piece of cake!

Look at him go!

Mikayla dressed up in her Cinderella gear she got from Sandy (mom's chemo angel) for her birthday!

Mikayla enjoying the hose the night before her surgery

I really wish she was this happy now :-(

She LOVED the hose!

And of course....my handsome boy!

A Family Update:-)

Life is good but busy. First off....I hang out over on Facebook a lot and wanted to thank everyone for all the congratulations on my graduation and job both on here and over there. It means so much to me to have so many awesome friends and family that were pulling for me.

My job is going great. I love teaching and was truly "born" to be a teacher. I couldn't love what I do more and I am having a blast in Kindergarten. The kids are amazing and I love the school that I work for. As of now, unfortunately, I don't have a job for next school year. The job market in Ohio is over-flooded with teachers right now and honestly, there are few jobs. The secretary at my school told me that they have had dozens upon dozens of calls from unemployed teachers hoping to land the position that I have. However, if my position DOES go permanent, I have already been informed that I will have the job. It depends on the enrollment and while the principal wants to hire me on, she can't do so until she knows there is a need for me obviously. And right now the Kindergarten enrollment is too low to take on another teacher. BUT...she said it will go up over summer and as soon as she gets the amount she needs...I will be called. So please, please pray that this works out for me since nothing else is opening up. If you didn't already know, I am working for a private Catholic school here in Canton. It's a wonderful place and while the pay is not near what it would be if I was working in a public school....I love it and it's a JOB. And a good one, working with amazing people and amazing children.

In other news, yesterday was my sweet little boys very last day of Kindergarten. I was so sad to see him get off that bus and to remember just back in the fall when I first put him ON the bus. Where did the year go? What a year it has been for ALL of us. It went so fast because I think I was so busy. Alec had an amazing year. He achieved everything and more and his report card is glowing. I am so proud of the young man he has become. He is one of the brightest spots in my life. I am so very blessed to have that little boy call ME mom. I couldn't love him more.

Mikayla is doing well and is approaching her THIRD birthday. This year, we will be holding her birthday party at the Massillon Rec Center and it, of course, will be princess themed:-) She is scheduled for her tonsil/tube/adenoid surgery on June 10th. Please keep her in your prayers that day as I am nervous for her. She is talking up a complete storm. Her speech TOOK OFF and she is talking in complete sentences and doing wonderfully. Many of her sensory issues have seemed to "disappear." What actually happened is that she has learned to regulate them better. She is one loved and amazing little girl.

Kris celebrated his 32nd birthday this week. I made him his favorite kind of cake and we celebrated here at home. It was a really nice night and Mikayla and Alec both enjoyed blowing out the candles.

My last day of school is this coming Wednesday. Tomorrow, we head to Ravenna to celebrate Christian's Third Birthday. Alec is at my mom and dads for the weekend because I had to work and his daycare arrangement is over now that is school is out. So he comes back on Monday and then he is going to spend two nights with Gina, Joe, and Christian and THEN we can call it a SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Here are some odds and ends pictures from the past few weeks. Some are ones from my graduation that I forgot to post but still wanted to post. Enjoy!

Alec took this picture on Kris' birthday
Alec waiting for cake! Can you see where he lost another tooth last month?

Daddy and the two best kids in the world!

WOW! He's 32 already! Before long it will be ME with a THREE in my age. YIKES!

Mikayla hamming it up for the camera. I wanted to try this on her for Christian's birthday party. Gina bought her the Tinkerbell shoes and sunglasses. She wears them around all day, everyday. She was so mad when I took this dress off to hang it back up. What a diva.

Alec smiling and hugging a Beanie Baby that our good friend Sandy sent him

Aunt Zell and Mikayla playing dress up

Aunt Chris and Mikayla. They bought her dress-up clothes and she LOVED them!

My Kiddo's

OMG...this is a wordless picture I think

Willy, Kris, and the Kids

Aunt Chris and Aunt Zell hung this on the garage while I was inside:-)

Me and my aunts!

Still playing dress up and holding TIGER...the new IT thing. IT has replaced LOVEY!

I can't remember if I have posted this picture before but I love it so here it is again.

I'm a Kindergarten Teacher!!!!!!

Yes, it happened that quickly. This has actually been going on since last Saturday but until I knew for sure I didn't want to post anything. Last Saturday, just as my aunts and Willy were leaving my house to head to the hotel, my phone rang. It was the Chair of the Education Department at Walsh and she told me that she had just gotten a phone call from a principal that was in need of a Kindergarten teacher. Sadly, it's a tragic story and the teacher of this class very, very unexpectedly passed away. They needed to fill the position quickly and asked Walsh if they would recommend someone. They recommended me!! So I knew that they would be calling all day during my graduation and Sunday night, after I got home from my party, she called. I interviewed Mondy with the principal and I was there for almost two hours. Tuesday morning she called and said that they had selected me to take the position. So Tuesday night I went in and met with some of the other teachers and Wednesday was my first day! This is all so sudden and so exciting, however, it is sad that I am coming into a classroom that just suffered such a tragic loss. I am trying to piece together where in the curriculum this teacher was so that I can try to just pick up where she left off. But, it has been going wonderfully and I am thrilled to have this opportunity. I love the kids and school has welcomed with me such love and open arms. I couldn't have asked for something more amazing to happen....especially so quickly! As for now, I am just there until the end of the school year. I am hoping to be hired in for next year too! I would love to stay at this school!

Here is the video I put together for my graduation party. We didn't get to show it because we didn't have a TV but here it is....

~Graduation~

Yesterday I finally graduated Summa Cum Laude from Walsh University with my Bachelor's of Science in Early Childhood Education-Intervention Specialist. It was an amazing and really emotional day for me. One part of me is relieved to be finished and another part of me is sad to see this time in my life go. So I closed the chapter on this part of my life and am now looking forward to the future....a future in the classroom.

I am so thankful that so many of my family members and friends came to spend this special day with me. The weather was a hot 80 degrees yesterday and let me tell you....wearing black on top of my dress was no fun:-) But I enjoyed every moment of my commencement and the beautiful graduation party that followed.

It took me 6 years from start to finish to achieve this lifelong dream. I took time off for Mikayla's adoption or I would have graduated much sooner. It was an amazing journey where I met wonderful people and made incredible memories. I could not have asked for a better college education and I feel as prepared as I possibly can be to enter the classroom soon (hopefully).

Thank you mom and dad for throwing me an awesome party yesterday. You both were an amazing support system these past few years while I was in school. Your help with Alec and such meant the world to me. I love you both so much. The party was so much fun and the food was great mom. Thank you Gina, Aunt Chris, Aunt Zell, and Diane for helping with the party preparations.

Thank you Gina, you have been my sounding board for the past 1.5 years while I finished this up. You never seemed to grow tired of listening....and listening...you know I would always do the same for you.

Thank you to my husband, who always believed in me, never doubted my dream for a second, and supported me every step of the way. I could NOT have done this without you Kris. You know that. This was a sacrifice for you and our kids but you always, ALWAYS stepped up so that I could do what I needed to do. I love you so much.

Thank you Alec and Mikayla. Alec, you don't realize the magnitude of this right now, but someday you will. I know you were so proud of me and you made many sacrifices over the years for mommy to be able to do this. You and sister are one of the reasons that I made sure I accomplished this dream. My life is so full because the two of you are in it. How blessed I am to call you both my children.

And lastly, thank you to all the family and friends who were both at the graduation and party and those who could not attend. I appreciate each and every one of you and am blessed to have all of you in my life.

GRADUATION!!!

Ready for us graduates!
The processional

I just had received my diploma here!

Aunt Chris and Me

Dad and Me

Kris and Me

Kris, Alec and I

My Family

Mom, Me, and Dad

Mom and Me

Aunt Chris and Mom

Dad and Alec

Another one of Kris and I

I love this picture of Alec and I...he was SO proud of me...I will never forget him being a part of this.

Me! All graduated! :-)

Me and the Chair of the Department of Education at Walsh, Dr. DeFazio

Mrs. Ousley

Alec and I with the card he made me for graduation

Mikayla helping me open gifts

Ana and Mikayla

Kisses for Christian

Me and my neighbor Rich

Willy and Me

Aunt Zell and Me

Gina and Me

My cousin Brittany and Me

Mike, Diane, Maggie, Victoria, Annie, Percy, Kris, and Me

Kris and I with Mikayla

That's Marie and I (my cooperating teacher) in the background

Mom and I

Loved this cake!

Everyone signed a framed picture for me:-)

Food Table

Christian

LOVE this bag Gina got for me...it's got my initials on it:-)

Mikayla happy!

Mikayla over-tired

Tony and Alec

What a great day!

The very first person I met when I moved to Canton was Heather. She actually lived a few streets over from me and I met her when I took the job at the Roadhouse. She was the manager and I became one too and we quickly became friends. She threw my baby shower for me here in Canton when I was pregnant with Alec and when Alec was born she watched him while I had one of my evening classes! When her husband graduated from school he took a job in Tennessee and they moved:-( They have been gone for 5 years now. But she was in town this weekend visiting family and I got to see her and her beautiful little boys! It was a great visit and I was so glad to see her again. We haven't seen each other in 2 years! I didn't post pictures of her boys because I didn't ask her so I am just posting the ones of her and I.

This was actually the second picture we took. Mikayla wanted in it.
Heather and I

Excuse her funky hair, she had just gotten out of bed and went straight for her heels and put them on.

Daddy and Kayla

Look how sweetly she is looking at him! She LOVES her daddy!

Look at her in the heels! And boy she can walk in them NO PROBLEM!

Such a pretty girl

All smiles!