So...it has been entirely too long since I've posted anything!

Sorry about not keeping up with this! Things have been crazy, crazy busy! But that's good...no time to get bored. So what's new? Umm...well the thing that has kept me the busiest is my job. I can't believe it but I have been there 10 months already. Man has the time flown by! I really love teaching! I was telling the kids yesterday that there would be no pre-school on Thursday and Friday. All of a sudden they were like: "But we're gonna miss you!" If that doesn't get you I don't know what would. I seriously love those kids and look forward to each day at work. Yes there are hard times but that's for learning!
Onto something different...I'm gonna be a Auntie again! My sister Sarah is pregnant again! Yeah! I'm so excited. I'm going with John and hoping for a girl!!! I think she would be beautiful!!! Not that my other nieces aren't! :)
Since today is Thanksgiving I wanted to list what I am thankful for:
1) My God and my salvation
2) My Country
3) My family
4) My Preacher
5) My friends- too many to name individually
6) My job
7) My little kiddo's at work :)
8) My cubby kids at church
9) My dog, Copper
10) Anything I might have forgotten!!! :)

Wow...it's been forever since I've posted on my blog! Sorry but I have been really, really, really, really, really busy! Everything is going great. I still love my job and my kids! I've worked there about 2 and a half months and it has flown by! Time just goes by really fast. I blink and there goes another day! :)
I have two slideshows from the past few weeks. The first one is of Grayson spending a few hours with Auntie Jess while Mom and Dad went to a Surprise dinner party and of my nieces and nephew swimming in a heated pool last Saturday! It was so much fun and the water was nice and warm.

The second one is Easter pictures, a few random pictures and some pictures of the kids from my work!

Hey Two New Slide Shows...

So tonight we went to watch Latoya cheer. I actually got to go this time because my day care wasn't open due to no power! :( I'm glad I was able to go, though. Here are some pictures that I took during the game. They're mostly of Grayson. He was right next to me and he kept "talking" to me so I just had to take some pictures! Enjoy!

I saw this slideshow and I really wanted to use it. The pictures in it are all from college. They are my friends that I miss tremendously! It's been hard being away from them and the slideshow in a way is in honor of them.

Snow, snow go away...

Just thought I would do a update real quick. Things are going great at work...I'm still loving it. I go to the gym three or four times a week. It depends on what works out. I would go more but I have no time! When we do go to the gym we usually don't get home till about 7 p.m. Then I pretty much go to bed by 9:00-9:30 the latest. So my days are pretty much taken up with work and the gym. Yesterday my work was cancelled because of the weather. I was kind of excited because I wanted a day off. Then last night my sister called to tell me that my day care had no power. I knew that wasn't a good sign. I woke up this morning around 6:30 to check to see if it got cancelled. I got a call about 6:45 saying it was cancelled due to no power. I was kind of frustrated because I really didn't want another day off. Oh well...what was I going to do. So I went to the gym with my sisters this morning and then we went to Freeport.
I better have work tomorrow. Am I the only one sick of snow?!? As to the title of my entry: Snow, snow go away and don't come back another day!!! :)
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day!

So much to do...so little time

This picture is of the girls that I took this morning in cubbies. It was so cute that I just had to post it!
Not much is going on right now. My job is still amazing! I love the kids and the workers there are great. They all have been really helpful to me. I'm definately learning as I go!!! This Monday will be my fourth week working there. Time sure does go by fast! Thursday I had the day off because of the storm. I'm suppossed to go in at 9:00 on Thursday's. Well at about 8:00 I got a call. It was my boss asking me if I wanted the day off. There wasn't that many kids there that day due to the weather. It took me a few minutes deciding on whether or not I wanted the day off. Finally I said yes. It was wierd because during the day I kept thinking about the kids and I actually missed them--well most of them! :)

Saturday I was in training for CPR and First Aid all day! Fun, fun, fun. Actually it wasn't that bad. It was just a lot to take in for one day! Then I had a appointment to get my hair cut that night at Jc Penny. I got it chopped off! Here is a picture of it. I really like it. It's pretty easy to fix and it's different.

Fire fighters at my day care...

Well, as you all know I work at Harvest Hill daycare. I completed my second week today. Yes, I have to admit at times it does get a little frustrating but I love it. The kids are pretty good for the most part. They are very busy kids that keep me on my toes!!! :) I still feel like there is so much I don't know but I'm learning. I'm starting to get a lot of things done pact. I should be a pro at this after awhile! It's been a little warmer outside this week. We went outside and played on Tuesday and Thursday. The kids love to go outside because they can run free in the fenced in yard and have fun. I like it because they play better outside and when we come in it is time for lunch and then it's my favorite time of the day. Naptime!!! I live for that! They lay down from 12:15 - 2:00. Not all of them fall asleep but most of them do.
Today we had a surprise. We were eating lunch and waiting on some pizza. All of a sudden the smoke alarm went off which caused the fire alarm to go off. We called and told the people that are charge of the system that it was a false alarm. They said they would tell the fire department so they couldn't come over for nothing. Well a few minutes later in the middle of our lunch in walked two huge firemen all dressed up. The kids were so excited. They all were like hi, hi, hi! A couple of the boys ran up and started to talk to them. I think it made their day seeing real fireman! They were extremely tall. They were over 6 feet tall!
Below is slideshow of some pictures of my preschoolers. I haven't been able to take too many because my flash isn't working on my camera so I have been using my camera phone until it gets fixed. Enjoy!!!

Busy, busy, busy!!!

Just thought I'd do a post since it has been awhile. I have just been so busy. I don't have time for much anymore. Which in a way is good but sometimes I would just like to sit down and watch tv, read a book, and relax. Oh well. I love my job. It is just stressful at times. It's just so much to take on. I'm trying to learn as fast as I can! I just hope it gets a little easier on me. I love the kids and the teaching isn't bad. I kind of enjoy it. The kids are adorable. They want someone to pay attention to them but when you have twelve kids there...it's not that easy. I wish I could have more one on one time with them. But they are good kids and I've learn to love them. Some I have to admit are harder to love then others. Each day I end up taking home many, many, pictures that they color for me! Today I took home seven! I think I'm going to get a folder and put them in it. I don't know what else to do with all the pictures I'm getting!

Well...I hope everyone has a good week. I think I'm ready for bed!!! :)

Last Monday storm and my new job...

Last Monday me, Mom, and Stacy went to the gym to workout. Have I mentioned yet that I joined the gym? I LOVE it!!! I did my free week last week and I joined yesterday. I'm really excited about it. It helps that my whole family goes. If you have fun working out...it seems easier to do.When we left it started snowing pretty heavy. Thankfully we got home before it got to bad. Then we got a bunch of snow dumped on us! I think we got at least a foot!!! So I wandered outside and took a few pictures. They're in the slideshow below:

My job hunting has finally come to an end! It seemed that I have applied at every daycare possible. I had three different interviews at three different day cares. I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do so I told God to decide for me. That might seem kind of strange but I knew He would know what kind of job I needed. Today me, Mom, and Stacy went to the gym. Around 11:00 Sarah called and told me that Harvest Hill Daycare called me back. I was kind of shocked and disappointed at the same time. I was shocked because when I left the interview yesterday I didn't think I would get the job for some reason. Then I was disappointed because I would have preferred to work at a different daycare that I had a interview at. After thinking about it, praying, and talking to my mom and Stacy I decided if when I called back if she offered me the job I would take it. I called back and she asked if I was still interested in the pre-school teaching job. I said yes! She told me I had the job then. I start Monday. My hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. On Thursday I work 9 to 5:30 p.m. I'm excited but also kind of nervous. She said she was going to help me this week that way I get the schedule down and get to know the kids. I'll still update one my post but I'm not sure how often I'll be able to do it. With working full time, going to the gym three or four times a week and going to church three times a week...I'm gonna be busy! I am excited though. I just hope everything goes well!!! Pray for me if you think about it!

This is a slideshow Of Grayson. He seems to be the only one I get pictures of lately. Probably because he's living at my house for now. Enjoy and I'll try to get pictures of the other kids, too.

This last slideshow is of the kids in Cubbies. Since I've been home I've been teaching pretty much every week for the Sunday school hour. It's been fun!!! The kids are adorable! I only hope my pre-school kids are as good as they are!

Last week's game and Stacy's birthday...

Just thought I'd do a new post. It's been about a week since my last post. Things are going great. Last Friday we all went to watch Latoya cheer at the game for Calvary. I have to admit I kind of felt weird being there seeing how when I was in college I rarely was able to go to any games. Then it was sad. It made me miss high school. I missed playing volleyball soooo bad. I miss practice, I miss warming up before the game, and how I miss playing volleyball! Winning always made it better and made it a lot more fun! I don't know how to properly express how I feel. As I watched the girls play volleyball I couldn't help but want to go out there and help them!!!
It was really neat to watch Toya cheer. She did a really good job. They all did a good job. There was only four cheerleaders who were allowed to cheer last Friday. The rest of them were benched! They are really cute to watch. Tomorrow is the last real home game so I'll be able to see her cheer again. I do look forward to that. I guess they might have another game but not in the league. So the cheerleaders probably will cheer for that too.
Tomorrow is Stacy's birthday. Or birpday as the twins say!!! :) Tonight me, mom, and Stacy went to the gym to workout. Sarah and John stayed behind and watched the kids. As they did that they made lasagna, garlic bread, and baked a cake for her birthday. When we came in the kids were all hiding under the table and then sang happy birthday to Stacy! It was really cute to see Kelsey and Kaylee peeking out from the table to see if their mom was there yet! By the way if you're reading this Stacy, I wish you a very happy birthday! Hope you have a great one!

Lewiston Mainiac Hockey game:

Last night we went to the Lewiston Mainiac hockey game. A guy in our church got a bunch of free tickets for our church members. My dad wasn't feeling well; so he and my mom didn't go. John, Sarah, and baby Grayson went. Also Doug, Stacy, Latoya, Jordan, Kelsey, Kaylee, and I went. There was quite a few people from our church there. We had pretty good seats. I love going to hockey games. Mostly because I like to see the guys slam each other into the walls. I just do, I'm not sure why? I guess it's funny to me for some reason.

The Mainiacs ended up losing 3-2. I was kind of disappointed. I don't like going to a game and the team I went to see loses. Oh well. We had a lot of fun, that's all that matters.

Tonight there is a home game for Calvary Christian Academy. I'm excited because I will finally get to see Latoya cheer in person. Yesterday, I was cleaning at church and I heard the girls cheerleading. So I went and peaked my head into the gym and I watched Toya cheer for a few minutes. She was so cute!!! The twins love watching Toya cheer. Kelsey and Kaylee were both telling me that they were going to a game and they were gonna watch Toya cheer! :) It should be interesting tonight though. Toya said there was only going to be four girls cheerleading. The rest of the girls are benched for some reason. I told her they better cheer really loud!!! :)

Well... that's about it for now! I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Happy New Year!

Well...it's hard to believe another year has already gone by. The past few weeks have been fun and quite interesting with six people in my parents house! Especially for my parents seeing how they are used to just having the house to themselves. Yesterday was New Year's Eve. Me, Sarah, John, Doug, Latoya, Jordan, Kelsey, and Kaylee all went sledding! Boy was that fun and also a major workout!!! We went sledding at our church. We have a HUGE hill behind the church that is perfect for sledding. In fact I have seen many people use it. Sledding was a lot of fun. The twins were both scared at first seeing how the hill was so BIG! I took Kaylee down first and the whole way down she got snow blown in her face. When we got down to the bottom her face was covered and all you could see were her two little eyes. She was crying needless to say by the time we were at the bottom of the hill. Sarah had taken Kelsey down before me. I didn't know what happened at first but when I got to the top of the hill I asked her and she said the same exact thing happened to Kel. So from then on we took them done without a sled. They loved it! It was fast enough for them and they didn't get snow in their face. The hard part was walking up the huge hill. By the time you got up the hill you were exhausted and then it was time to go down again! We had a blast sledding even though we only went about a hour. We then went to Stacy's and Doug's house and we ate supper. The kids watched t.v after while the adults played games. My mom and Dad left around 8:30 or so because my dad wasn't feeling good...again! :( We played spoons, uno attack, pit, and then we went back to playing spoons. That has become a family favorite in the past few weeks! Before that it was uno attack. The funny thing is about spoons is it has been sitting in my closet for a couple of years! My mom got it for me for Christmas a few years ago but I never opened it for some reason! We played games until around ten and then me, Sarah, John and baby Grayson went home.

As you all know we have been hit with a bunch of snow the past week or so and as I am typing we are getting about a foot or more. I decided to take some pictures of all the snow we've been getting!










Last year was a great year and even though it's hard to believe it's over I'm aslo glad. I look forward to this year. Mostly because I'm going to be home with my family. It has been a lot of fun spending time with my family. I almost forgot how much fun it could be! I look to spending time with my nieces and nephews and watcing baby Grayson grow up. I didn't think that was going to happen and that's one thing I'm very thankful for! It's great having your family so close to you. Not everyone is blessed to see their family all the time like I am!!

Merry Christmas again...

I wanted to separate the poems that I put on my blog last night. They were too close together and the post was really long. So here is another of my favorite Christmas poems.

The True Meaning Of Christmas:
Jesus Christ was born this day
So many years before
He came a servant to the lost
Though he was Lord of Lords
We celebrate this joyous time
Reflecting on His birth
Not born in a mansion, but a stable
As if He had no worth
He came so He could identify
With the human heart of man
And gave His life as a sacrifice
Offering a better plan
A plan that reconciles us back
To our loving Father God
Bringing hope and redemption from
Sins ruling iron rod
For this is the only reason that we
Should celebrate this day
To become focused on anything else
Would take the meaning away
So let’s arise with joy in our hearts
And share it with everyone
The meaning of Christmas will always be
The birth of Jesus – God’s son
© By M.S.Lowndes

I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years!!! Enjoy the time you get to spend with your family and try to remember what Christmas is truly about. Yes, it's fun to get gifts but there is more to Christmas then receiving gifts!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

I'm really excited about this Christmas. I know I'm not going to get much--that doesn't matter to me. What I'm excited about has nothing to do with gifts. First of all...I am home for good. That's very exciting to me, while I do still miss my close friends tremendously!!! :( I'm excited at all the time I've been able to spend with my family and all the time I will be able to spend with my family. I really didn't realize how much I've truly missed my family while I was in college. I'm just glad to be home! Second, I'm glad that Sarah, John, and Grayson moved back to Maine also! When I parted with Grayson during Thanksgiving it was very hard for me to do. I had already got attached to my new little man! It's weird how you can meet someone and love him instantly! That's how it was when I met Grayson! I have really enjoyed all the time I've been able to babysit him. He is such a happy go lucky little guy. He makes me laugh when I'm "talking" to him! It doesn't hurt him that he is so cute and cuddly!

Below are one of my favorite Christmas poems:

A Visit From St. Nicholas by Major Henry Livingston Jr.(previously believed to be by Clement Clarke Moore)

'Twas the night before Christmas', when all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that ST. NICHOLAS soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the creast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!

On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

Laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT."

I'm officially home for good...

I flew out of Chicago Midway airport yesterday at about 8:00 pm. I am home for good. Believe it or not, I'm excited to be home. I'm also sad. I had to leave behind all my friends! Some of them were harder to leave then others! I've cried quite a bit the past week!!! It was really hard for me to leave! I have a lot of friends that I am really close to out there. I know everyone has to leave at some point but that didn't make it even easier. I don't like change at all. I wish everything could just stay the same but I know it doesn't work like that. It's just that I don't know when I will see my friends again and when you're used to seeing them everyday that's hard! I can't just run to one of their rooms when I'm having a bad day or I just want to see them. I know I can call them or even write them but it's not the same...not at all!!! It's just that so many friends grow apart when they separate and I definitely don't want that too happen!! :( Seeing how I was leaving for good...I have been taking a lot of pictures the last few weeks. Here they are in a slide show...

My birthday celebration at college...

Well...this is my first post since I've been back to college. I was not excited about coming back at all but it helped knowing I would see my friends and my bus kids. On Saturday night after we all got back from our bus routes, me and four of my friends went and celebrated my birthday. It wasn't my idea. Bethany asked me if I wanted to do anything for my birthday and I was like why not?!? So me, Bethany, Elizabeth, Julia, and Kim went to Red Robin to celebrate my birthday. It was a lot of fun!!! I didn't take very many pictures but I did take a few.
Good news...my bus route officially won. We go on the trip next Monday. I'm really excited and can't wait!!!
1st picture- Beth, Liz, me, Julia, and Kim
2nd picture- me and Kim
3rd picture- me and Liz