I want a new car!

Or, at least a "newer" car. I love my Camry, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It has served me well for the past 4 years. I really should be happy that I'm paying it off soon and look forward to NO CAR PAYMENTS, and I really can't justify getting rid of it. But, Shawn has been doing some research lately and has found several cars (Camry Solaras, I love 'em) in our price range...so our payments would be about the same as they are now. Of course that means a few more years of car payments. The only other drawback is that the Solara only comes in the coupe...2 doors with a baby might be difficult. Then, there are always the newer Camry sedans...which are nice too. I'm torn. I've mentioned trading in my car, but usually only in passing. I figured Shawn would be opposed to the idea, but he's actually spending more time and effort on the cause than me....what's a girl to do?!

Hurricane Katrina

After watching nonstop CNN coverage of Hurricane Katrina yesterday, I was really starting to worry about Kenji. I know he lives near Birmingham, and he says he's about 4 hours away from the coast. So, I figured that he probably wouldn't experience the full force of the storm where he is. I called him this afternoon, just to make sure he's okay. He said that the storm is headed toward them, but so far so good. Back in Japan he had to deal with typhoons and earthquakes, and now hurricanes here in the States. Poor guy.
I just feel terrible for all of those people affected every summer by hurricanes. I can't imagine losing everything over and over again. I think I'd probably be moving inland. Sometimes I think how boring life here in the Midwest is....how nice it would be to live near the beach. And then comes hurricane season and I change my mind pretty quickly. I guess boring is okay...it's safe at least.

Mouse House

Ok, so, we're finally experiencing the "joys" of living in the "country" (as Kelly says)...we have a mouse in our house! He's a little one, but he's bold! Shawn and I have put out traps for him, but so far, no luck. Shawn is in the living room playing PS2, and this crazy mouse just ran right across the room in front of him! Shawn was going to try to catch it in a glue trap, or with the broom and dustpan, but it ran out from behind the TV in the opposite direction. I guess we'll just have to wait it out. I'm really not a big fan of rodents. Hopefully we'll get rid of it soon.

Busy!

Well, the life of a working mom is busier than I thought it would be. Keira is wonderful, and I'm enjoying every moment I get to spend with her. She's napping right now, so I have a bit of time to update my blog. She's so social lately, even more than before. She coos, giggles, smiles and jabbers all the time. I love it. She's been trying really hard to sit up and to crawl. She can sit on her own, propped up by her hands, if I put her on her bottom to start with. She hasn't quite figured out how to get up on her own. She rolls all over the place, too! From belly to back and back to belly. She rarely stays in one spot for very long. When she's on her belly, she gets up on her hands and feet/knees and rocks back and forth. One of these days she's going to coordinate her hand movement with her knees, and there'll be no stopping her! I'm not sure if I'm ready for that or not. She's growing SOOOOO quickly! It's hard to believe she'll be SIX MONTHS OLD in 2 weeks.
Work is going well. I've got a really great, smart group of kids this year. It's nice being out in the trailers, too, because I get more work done...make much better use of my time. When I was in the building, I'd find myself in the lounge or just chatting during my breaks. Now, there aren't as many distractions, so I actually PLAN during my plan time...what a novel idea! Anyway, it's good to be back to work. Leaving Keira has been really hard, but I imagine it'll get easier, or at least less painful.
In addition to work and my baby girl, I've been busy with other things, too. Dwayne and Becky's wedding was last week. It was really beautiful, and the reception was a lot of fun. On Saturday, Holly and Jeff were sweet enough to watch Keira so Shawn and I could go see a movie and have dinner with Kelly and Dave. The work week went by really quickly and before I knew it, it was Friday. I went out to the new WalMart Supercenter in Fredericktown with Mom. Then, yesterday I went to lunch/baby shower for my friend Erin, who is having a baby boy (Eli Wayne) soon. She's due 9/15/05. Last night, we watched Sara while Rob and Lisa went to a reception for work. She was hilarious...what an imagination she has! Next weekend, we're having a few friends over on Saturday, going to a birthday party on Sunday, and enjoying Labor Day on Monday. The following weekend will be Holly and Jeff's shower for Baby Tyler. On September 17, Kelly, Amber and I are having a girls' night out. Things might start to slow down around October! My life is BUSY, but I thank God for the life that I have....I wouldn't trade with anyone.

I Survived My First Day Back....

I went back to work today. I got up at 5:30 this morning to start getting ready for school. Keira was sleeping, and she stayed asleep until I was finished showering, eating and getting dressed. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore...I had to wake her up so I could get some bonding time before it was time to leave. So, I woke her up, washed her face, and changed her clothes. We cuddled and talked for a (short) time, and then it was time to go. I dropped her off at my aunt's house, and she (Keira) was just fine. I was obviously taking the separation much harder than she was! The morning flew by...it was NOON before I had the chance to call and check on her. Before I knew it, it was 3:00 and time to pick up my baby. She was playing in the floor when I got there, and heard my voice when I came in the door. I was SOOOOO happy to see her!! I took her back to school with me, and she played while I got some work done. Then, we came home, ate, and played some more. Right now, she's sleeping. Tomorrow, I have to work from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. Then, I have OPEN HOUSE from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. I'll sure be glad when tomorrow is over! It'll be nice to spend more time at home with my kiddo. I missed her today!

Five Months Old!

My baby girl is 5 months old...yesterday! It's so hard for me to believe. She is constantly growing, changing and doing so many new things. It's almost impossible to keep her on her back when she's awake and lying on the floor now. I put her down on a quilt to play (on her back) and she's flipped to her tummy before I know it. I remember when she was tiny, she hated to be on her tummy! She loves to squeal and babble now, and makes the funniest little motorboat sound with her lips. She also constantly moves her hands, fingers, arms, legs, feet and toes. She's rarely ever still for very long. Her newest fascination is my mouth/chin/cheeks. When I'm holding her close to me, she likes to reach out and grab ahold of my face. I really don't mind so much, as long as her nails have been trimmed.
I have loved each "phase" that she's gone through so far. I read somewhere once that the key to enjoying your children is to really appreciate each new phase. I think I do that, and I'm looking forward to all of the new things she'll be doing soon.

Dreams and Ambitions

Rob, Lisa, and Sara went down to Sikeston for their annual visit to the Bootheel Rodeo. I've always know what a huge rodeo fan Rob is, and Lisa is becoming a pretty big fan herself. My (2 1/2 year old) niece is becoming quite the fan as well, apparently! She recently told her mommy that she knows what she wants to be when she grows up....a clown. Not just any old garden variety, birthday party, circus clown either....a RODEO CLOWN! That's my girl!

I'm just saying...

I don't really have a whole lot to talk about today...I just wanted to *chat*. Shawn was off work, so we slept in, er, took turns sleeping in, that is. I got up with Keira at 6:00, changed her, fed her and eventually put her back to sleep. After that, I fell asleep for a while. When she woke up again, Shawn got up with her, repeated the routine and stayed up. I finally got out of bed somewhere around 9:15 or so...ah, it felt good to sleep! On the days when Shawn has to work, I'm always up taking care of Keira early so he can get ready for work.

Anyway, we spent the morning washing, vacuuming and cleaning both cars...and SWEATING. Geez, it's hot out there! You'd think it was August or something! After showers and lunch, we went to put air in Shawn's tires, and get a movie from Blockbuster (a free rental...can't beat that!) I got "Coach Carter", and I hope it's worth the price :). Once we got home, I started dinner. Our neighbors, Amy, Josh and Isaiah are coming over at 5:30 for dinner. I made (am making) sweet and sour chicken, rice and eggrolls. We have brownies for dessert. Sounds yummy, and I hope it tastes as good.

This evening we'll probably watch a movie, or just veg in front of the TV. My new "Glamour" (800th issue) came in the mail today, and I have an issue of "American Baby" I haven't read yet. What an exciting night! I hope yours is relaxing, too.

My baby girl! 

This is Keira wearing Aunt Becky's bachelorette party veil. 

This is my FAVORITE PIC! Holly can still *get down*! 

Dancing Queen (on the bar at Margarita Mama's) 

Bongo Becky!! 

CHEERS! 

Enjoying a pitcher of margaritas 

Holly, Di, Becky, and Jen at Montelle Winery 

Becky's Bachelorette Party!!

Last weekend, Holly and I took Becky out for her bachelorette party...only another week of "freedom" for her! We had a blast! We started the day in Augusta, at Montelle Winery where we sampled about 12 different types of wine before making our selection...Good thing Holly was Designated Driver!
After finishing 3 1/2 bottles of wine we headed to El Maguey for dinner (and margaritas!). We dropped Toni (Becky's mom) off at home, then it was off to Westport for drinks and dancing! We started out at the Bachelorette Night at Patrick's. Becky had a round of drinks, but wanted to go to Margarita Mama's for dancing.
You can check out some of the pictures from our *GIRLS' NIGHT OUT* above. Enjoy...we did!

Holly's Blogsite...Check it out!

I just wanted to post a link to Holly's blogsite for all of you who are interested in checking it out. It's http://our-new-family.blogspot.com She's going to be putting up some pics of their *GROWING* family. I think you'll like it!
(You may have to copy and paste the link to your address bar.)

(It's the same as my blogsite address, except insert the word "new" instead of "little". For some reason, I'm having a problem posting the actual address on here...hmm...)

Here's my little Ladybug, Keira Grace! 

One More Week...a countdown

I woke up feeling a bit sad this morning. As I rocked Keira to sleep for her morning nap, I thought about how few (week) days I have left that I get to do that(besides holidays, sick days, etc). I'm determined to spend as much time as possible with her this week...I haven't even showered yet (and it's NOON!) because I want to be with her. I'll shower when she takes her afternoon nap, I guess.
I know you probably get sick of hearing, er, reading, about it, but I'm really dreading leaving her! What if she does something new and I miss it!? I know that she'll be learning to do so many new things, the older she gets, and I hate that I won't be able to experience all of her firsts the first time she does them. I've joined a "Working Mom/Dad's" message board, so hopefully I'll be able to get advice, support, etc from others, too.
Thanks for your support, and please bear with me. I know I'll make it through, although it'll probably take a little while.

For Rob and Lisa

Hey LoveBirds!
I just want to wish you two a happy TENTH anniversary! I hope you are just as much in love today as you were on August 5, 1995. I love you both!

Spoiled Baby (for Holly)

Hey Aunt Holly! Don't worry, I'll try not to spoil Tyler too much! Believe me, you'll have plenty of opportunity to spoil him....although my mom said that her grandma always told her, "There are NO spoiled babies, only loved babies or neglected babies." I can't wait until he gets here. I'm so excited for you that soon you'll be experiencing this amazing thing called motherhood. You'll be (and already are) wonderful!

What a princess! This is the dress she's going to wear to Uncle Dwayne and Aunt Becky's wedding. 

She just looks so serious. 

HERE is Mommy and Keira! 

Time Flies...

It's amazing to me how quickly time flies. We had a meeting this past weekend to plan our TEN year high school reunion. Is it really possible that next year I'll have been out of school for TEN years...a DECADE!?! Rob and Lisa are celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary on Friday. Shawn and I are coming up on 5 years of marriage. How crazy! The older I get, the faster time goes.