Tuesday, March 18, 2014
A Little Bit of History!
On March 1st we decided to become members of the Henry Ford. We are tired of being stuck indoors and this summer I think we will have lots of fun going to the village to ride the train and walk around. Just one visit to Greenfield Village with parking would be around 80.00 for our family! Insane. So we decided a year membership would pay itself back in two visits. We have visited the Henry Ford twice so far. Its really fun! Even though the kids are a little young I sure do enjoy learning more. Aubrey is learning stuff and I know each visit and each year will bring new discoveries. They have nice little "play" areas where we can take breaks and it hasn't been crowded the last two times we went. I LOVE Greenfield Village. I love traveling in the past. Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables were two of my favorite movies/ books series when I was little. History just amazes me. I am excited to share my love of it with the kids. Even though they may be a wee little to understand yet. The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village have TONS of events during the year that we plan on attending as well. Im super excited for all our future trips!! We are lucky to have this gem of a place close by!!!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Gabriella
Aubrey has wanted a cat. Like really bad. We had two cats when she was a baby and we gave them away. Two cats, a dog, and a baby was just too much. I loved my cats but honestly I never looked back. Fast forward to today and she really wants a cat. Thats not gonna happen. We are good with 3 kids, and a dog. Animals are work and Nelly is about all I can handle. So we were at Laurel Park the other day and we walked past a kiosk for "Perfect Petzz" They are dogs and cats that sit on a bed and breathe. Their stomach go up and down like they are alive. They are super soft and cute. For 37.00 you can get the pet, a bed, a brush, and a certificate of adoption. Aubrey saw these and was OBSESSED. She wanted one so bad. She had 50.00 from her birthday to spend that we had been hanging onto until she found something really special. Well this was her something special I guess. We left the mall without the cat and told her to really think if this is what she wanted. The cat doesn't do anything!!! She insisted all day that it was what she wanted so we went back and got her. She named her Gabrielle. She takes her everywhere in the house and is actually very gentle with her and takes really good care of her! I have to admit that this little Gabby keeps me company during the day!! She sits on the island in the kitchen in the sun and is super cute. Crazy I know. But I have to admit I kinda like Gabrielle:)) She has grown on me. And the best part is she doesn't poop, pee, have to be fed, or throw up fur balls!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Decisions, Decisions
I have been avoiding this post like the plague…. but I have to get my feelings down in writing. I have been struggling with my decision about going back to work. I go back and forth back and forth. My friends know this very well. One day I say Im going back and the next day I say NOPE cant do it. I have to let NPS know my intentions by March 1st so time has been ticking. I will start by saying…I will not resign from my job. I have worked really hard to get where I am at. 5 plus years of college, 10 years of teaching and building relationships with students and the fabulous staff I had the honor to work with. My Amerman peeps are amazing. Im just not ready to give that part of ME up for good. I am almost vested in the retirement system and lets face it I would give up a great pension and benefits if I just quit now. I also love teaching. I love having an outlet, a place to go and do other things besides cook clean, change diapers, and wipe butts:) I really enjoy my job when I close my door and forget about all the other crazy things happening in the education system right now. Teaching a lot of times doesn't feel like work for me. Its fun, Its awesome to see their faces light up when they really "get it." I enjoy using my talents for something other than being a mother. Does that sound selfish? To some of you it may. And Im sorry.
Another important part is Aiden and Emma. Soon they will both be ready for preschool. Aubrey went to school 3 days a week from 9 months on. It was the BEST THING we did for her. Both Jeremy and I already see a difference with the other two not being in a social setting with other children learning. They are bored most days. Emma for sure wants to get out. I don't care if your super mom...there is something to be said about kids and socializing with other kids and being taught by someone other than mom. If I go back to work they would be in school 2-3 days a week which is perfect. They learn so many skills. Money is another huge factor. we are surviving fine on one income. But there isn't a lot of room for extras. I lOVE extras:) I want to take that magical trip to Disney. More than just once:) I want to be able to go to Florida on spring break. I want to give my kids nice things and on one income its just not as easy. I want to help all of my children by saving for their college educations. I know I won't be able to completely fund them but giving them tools and an incentive to go is important to me. My take home pay after daycare would still pay for the mortgage, car, and other extras. Plus my health benefits are SO MUCH BETTER. Because of all of the above and more I will not give up my job and what I have worked so hard for.
But turn the coin around and…..I think one more year would be perfect. Technically you only get two years leave in my district. My first 3/4 year was medical. This year is personal. I am going to ask for one more year. The kids would be 7, 4, and 3 when I return. That would be perfect. Mornings are super crazy here. There is so much that goes into getting 3 kids up, dressed, fed, and out the door. Too much to list. I know many people do it. But for us its tough.
Aiden and Emma are a mere 13 months apart. They are like twins but in a way...worse. They are both extremely needy but needy in different ways. I feel that with one more year under our belts our family could handle the stress of two full-time working parents. The two little ones could dress themselves, go potty, put on boots, coats, and hats. Their immune systems might be better developed. They will just have a chance to mature a little more and then they will be ready for mom to go back to work. They won't need me as much anymore:( Parenting little ones is so hard. My whole focus and existence is on making sure they are happy and healthy. Its really hard to think about being responsible for 25 more little ones. As they get older and busier it leaves less time for me. All 3 were sick and let me tell you I don't know how I would be getting up for work everyday and handing it all. Something has to give and right now I don't want it to be my kids. You can't be great at everything when you are spread so thin.
I am fully prepared for the district to say no to my request. In fact I can almost bet the answer will be no. If they say no it was meant to be and I go back. I will struggle. I will struggle big time. It will be hard on Jeremy. He will have to pick up lot of responsibility. I think the struggle will be worth it. We can make it work. I have a ton of support from my parents. My kids are SO LUCKY to have them and so am I. I am basically washing my hands of the decision. If they say no... I have to go back or I would resign from my job. I know God has a plan for me Im just not sure of what it is yet. I prayed for clarity and this is what I came up with. Ask for one more year…if they say no... I try. I try to go back. If it doesn't work out I can always leave again. The letter was sent last week. Now we wait…but I am ok with the decision whatever it might be:)
And just to give you a snippet of a moment from our day with these crazy three here is a video. They don't like when dadd y washes their hair:) This job is way harder than any I have ever had before!!!
Another important part is Aiden and Emma. Soon they will both be ready for preschool. Aubrey went to school 3 days a week from 9 months on. It was the BEST THING we did for her. Both Jeremy and I already see a difference with the other two not being in a social setting with other children learning. They are bored most days. Emma for sure wants to get out. I don't care if your super mom...there is something to be said about kids and socializing with other kids and being taught by someone other than mom. If I go back to work they would be in school 2-3 days a week which is perfect. They learn so many skills. Money is another huge factor. we are surviving fine on one income. But there isn't a lot of room for extras. I lOVE extras:) I want to take that magical trip to Disney. More than just once:) I want to be able to go to Florida on spring break. I want to give my kids nice things and on one income its just not as easy. I want to help all of my children by saving for their college educations. I know I won't be able to completely fund them but giving them tools and an incentive to go is important to me. My take home pay after daycare would still pay for the mortgage, car, and other extras. Plus my health benefits are SO MUCH BETTER. Because of all of the above and more I will not give up my job and what I have worked so hard for.
But turn the coin around and…..I think one more year would be perfect. Technically you only get two years leave in my district. My first 3/4 year was medical. This year is personal. I am going to ask for one more year. The kids would be 7, 4, and 3 when I return. That would be perfect. Mornings are super crazy here. There is so much that goes into getting 3 kids up, dressed, fed, and out the door. Too much to list. I know many people do it. But for us its tough.
Aiden and Emma are a mere 13 months apart. They are like twins but in a way...worse. They are both extremely needy but needy in different ways. I feel that with one more year under our belts our family could handle the stress of two full-time working parents. The two little ones could dress themselves, go potty, put on boots, coats, and hats. Their immune systems might be better developed. They will just have a chance to mature a little more and then they will be ready for mom to go back to work. They won't need me as much anymore:( Parenting little ones is so hard. My whole focus and existence is on making sure they are happy and healthy. Its really hard to think about being responsible for 25 more little ones. As they get older and busier it leaves less time for me. All 3 were sick and let me tell you I don't know how I would be getting up for work everyday and handing it all. Something has to give and right now I don't want it to be my kids. You can't be great at everything when you are spread so thin.
I am fully prepared for the district to say no to my request. In fact I can almost bet the answer will be no. If they say no it was meant to be and I go back. I will struggle. I will struggle big time. It will be hard on Jeremy. He will have to pick up lot of responsibility. I think the struggle will be worth it. We can make it work. I have a ton of support from my parents. My kids are SO LUCKY to have them and so am I. I am basically washing my hands of the decision. If they say no... I have to go back or I would resign from my job. I know God has a plan for me Im just not sure of what it is yet. I prayed for clarity and this is what I came up with. Ask for one more year…if they say no... I try. I try to go back. If it doesn't work out I can always leave again. The letter was sent last week. Now we wait…but I am ok with the decision whatever it might be:)
And just to give you a snippet of a moment from our day with these crazy three here is a video. They don't like when dadd y washes their hair:) This job is way harder than any I have ever had before!!!
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