The "Coolest Thing on My Wall" According to Tobey

Thank you Mr. R for the coolest frame that we have ever seen! We put the blackbelt certificate in it and it just looks GRAND! What a kind, thoughtful gift for such a wonderful accomplishment! AWESOME!

My busy weekend....

Wow! This is turning out to be one REALLY busy weekend! Started yesterday when I came straight home and picked up Tobey. Last night was one of MANY midterms that he must complete in order to eventually become a 2nd degree blackbelt. Testing lasted 3hours which is the LONGEST testing that we have had in the 3 years that we have been in the sport!

This morning, I awoke and snuck out of the house. Had a technology insevice to attend... It lasted ALL day (8-415). Upon completion of my inservice, I swung by and picked up Tobey's pal Jared for a sleepover.

So, tonight there were 2 toddlers running around, 2 wheelchairs zippin through the rooms, 1 autistic kiddo doing her own thing, and 1 boy just hanging with the rest! It is great fun and just confirms that you really can NEVER have too many kiddos! The laughter that a child, no matter their age, brings into a home is the best "happy" medicine that you could ever take!!!!

Here are Tobey and J enjoying a YouTube video on the I-Pod....



Here is Ty playing "Battlestations Midway." His new WWII game...



Here is Taylar playing with Cody the guinea pig...



And this is Frick and Frack doing what all good, sweet babies should be doing at 8 PM....





Tomorrow, we have a first birthday at Chuck E Cheese which ought to be an experience all in it's own! I HAVE to get some laundry done...

Who the heck needs toys???

Diaper boxes are GREAT fun!





As is the couch!



Great joy in the simple things....

Many days (more lately), this is me...

Or, this...

I like gatherings of friends even if they are in cyber land!

Today, was the first day of a new start for many ladies that share a commonality. These ladies have become a HUGE part of my "cyber" family and I hold them quite near and dear to my heart. We found a new place to gather and share and it just feels so right. All of the warm words of comfort are back and people are allowed to share things that they thought that they had to hide in the past for fear of ridicule. Thank you ladies for following me to this place and for being patient as everything fell into place and we made it happen. I look forward to many happy days there!

My job hunting nightmare...

So, I get this email 2 weeks ago....

Good morning, Jennifer,

Mrs. Farris received your resume for a counselor position. She will be the Principal at the new Elementary #30 in Katy. She has already begun the interview process and would like to schedule an interview with you.

Please contact me to set up an interview. At this particular time, I have some openings on Thursday, 3/13 in the afternoon.

Thank you for your interest.

(The new school is located on North Mason Rd. near Morton – behind Morton Ranch Jr. and Sr. High Schools)

Pam Berger

Secretary

Roosevelt Alexander Elementary

I was thrilled and responded....

Hi Pam! Just wanted to send you an email from my work address so you could have it.

I was wondering if I could come at 5 on Thursday. If that is too late, please let me know and I will do what I can to get out of here early.

Thank you for your response-

Jennifer Pelzer

She then responded...

This week has turned out to be very busy since Mrs. Farris and I have to pack up. We also have Open House. So, perhaps we can schedule something after Spring Break.

Pam

I politely responded...

Hello! Welcome back. Hope you had a nice relaxing spring break!
I was just wondering if I would set up my interview with Mrs. Farris?
Thank you for your time and response-

Jennifer Pelzer

THIS is what I got....

Jennifer -

Thank you for your interest, but we won’t be contacting you for an interview. We wish you the best with your search.

Pam Berger

What the heck is that??? OMG! I was so floored and so upset. How can anyone treat someone like that? Drag me along for 2 weeks and then dismiss me like that? They were the ones that contacted me first and then had the nerve to act annoyed... I am really hesitant to take a job in a district that would treat potential employees like that...

UGH...

A Respect for Two Other Boards That I Frequent

What many do not know is that you do not always get support when you are a single mother. There are often harsh words and heads turned as what you have done is so "wrong." I am viewed as someone who just did not have the patience to wait and went "against God's plan" to have kids. I have even been told that I got Tobey and Taylar because of what I did. Yes, I am the REASON for Tobey's SPINA BIFIDA and Taylar's AUTISM. There have been weak moments in my life when I have actually considered believing it...

In the past few years, I have discovered two boards that have changed my view of what people do really think. Yes, there is support out there and I am proud to say that I have found it in online communities that are not soley made up of SMCs. I mean, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the support of fellow SMCs. However, it just feels like it means a bit more when it comes from other places. People who are not obligated to support you because they are in the same boat. LOK and SAP have been my rock lately. The support that I get from the ladies on these boards has been the beams that hold me up. In my most recent turn of events, I have really needed this and appreciate it more than I ever thought. I cannot believe that I actually left one of the boards at one point over some mean, attacking person...I am glad that I spoke with someone and cleared up a HUGE misunderstanding and returned...

No one realizes how crucial support is until you REALLY need it. To all of the people on the boards I am talking about (you know who you are), THANK YOU!

Happy Easter!

We tried the impossible today and actually achieved it! We were up and out of the house by 6:30 AM. Quick glance at what goodies were in their Easter baskets and then we were out...We made it ON TIME to the sunrise service!! It was very nice and then we headed back to my sister's for kolaches and donuts. The rest of the day will just be us getting a little R & R. A simple Easter which is just what we needed...

Our relaxing day off...

Well, somehow relaxing and 5 kids just do not fit in the same sentence. That said, we did have a nice day just hanging around the house...Mommy got some laundry done and the kids got some serious playtime and TV watching in. I think that they thought they might die as they have seen very little TV this week which is FINE with me. I love to see their brains stimulated instead of fried.

I think that we are calling the wrong twin "monkey" as Miss Baylee is REALLY exploring her world in ways in which many of us could have never predicted!
Don't you know there are more ways than one to explore big brother's wheelchair?



Just hanging with my big brother....

Day 5: The Houston Zoo and Hermann Park Train

We ended the week with a perfect sight for my house. ANIMALS! I often feel like I am in a zoo, so if was quite a comfortable atmosphere. It was a gorgeous day with temps in the 70s and a nice breeze. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we agreed that this has been "The Best Spring Break Ever" which is just what I hoped for when the week started! Of course, I am completely exhausted and will return to work on Monday feeling not a bit more rested than before, but it was well worth it. My children's happiness means the world to me!!!

The kids thought that the koala was most like Baylee...



Since Brennyn is our "monkey," the kids felt this guy was the closest resemblance in its actions...



2 of my handsome boys enjoying the day...





Just CANNOT get a good pic of all 5...I have tried all week! AAHHHHHH!





Oh well! I have tried and you can't fault me for that. I feel sorry for the poor photographer who will take on that task this summer!

Day 4: "Horton Hears a Who" and a little treat for Mommy

Today we joined Terri and her sons to see "Horton Hears a Who." The triplets thoroughly enjoyed it, and I was quite pleased with the message that they walked away with. "A person is a person no matter how small." I could not agree more! Now, this was the first movie for the twins, and they did not fair so well, but that was OK as their siblings were allowed to enjoy it and I got my exercise chasing them around outside of the theater!

We then spent dinner with a long-time friend who was in town and did some catching up. It was nice to be able to chat with her as we have always considered her family and have missed her a great deal since her move to Colorado.

After dinner, I dropped the kids off and headed back out with Vicki to the rodeo. Tonight was Dierks Bentley and she had an extra ticket that she offered to me. The show was GREAT! It was the first time that I have headed out alone since Mom died, and it was nice and relaxing to have some "adult" fun. I called the kids several time to check on them, and as ALWAYS Tylor proved what a responsible young man he is!

I cannot believe that our week is just about over...

Thank you Thank you Thank you to the "C" Family!

We just got our goodies! Yummy Yummy Yummy!

There is such a variety in there and it seems that you have included each of our favorites! Sesame sticks for Mommy, caramel corn for Tylor, pretzels for Tobey, cornuts for Taylar and caramel puffs for Brennyn and Baylee.

You guys are the greatest! Thank you for being so thoughtful!

((HUGS)) to everyone!

Day 3: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Today, we joined my sister and her crew and headed down to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo...The weather was in the mid 60s and was very nice. Again, the kids had a great time talking to cowboys, checking out all of the livestock, watching the pig races, and chowing down on all the great rodeo food...The twins were troopers and hung tight just watching everything and taking it all in...I am so lucky to have such good babies!

These painted horses were beautiful. Just like the tiny cows that I collect that are painted in a similar fashion. This was a contest and the winners had their designs painted on the life-size ones....





My nephew entertaining the twins...



Elsie, the Borden cow...



A REAL beehive...



The pig races...These were so entertaining!





"Nifty" the swimming pig...



The boys checking out the Chevy trucks...



By the end of the day...POOPED!

Day 2: Johnson Space Center (Space Center Houston)

I have to say that I have always had a love for NASA and the whole program. Call me childish, but the idea of going into the unknown weightless and free to explore intrigues me...I do not have the mathematical or scientific brain that is required for such a career, but that has never kept me from dreaming. My Tylor seems to also have that love. He has since he was little. Taylar is happy to go and Tobey really enjoys it, but Tylor has that look in his eye. That clear wonder of the beauty of space. I love it....

After Tobey and Tylor had their teeth cleaned (and NO cavities, Thank You God!), we packed up the gang and drove the 1 hour drive that it takes to reach the Johnson Space Center. Tylor had to remind me on the way down that we would be at the REAL mission control and that is "so cool since there is a crew up there RIGHT NOW!" I just smiled in awe of this great kid who is so full of wonder and excitement. He was truly excited just to go even though we have been several times before...We spent the drive speaking of all of the missions and he was very concerned about the Apollo 1, Challenger and Colombia disasters. We talked about that risk that those brave people take and he did agree that the program SHOULD go on or their deaths would be "for nothing."

We arrived and packed in with about a million other people. We spent our day looking at exhibits, listening to former astronauts, tasting space food, sitting in a REAL cockpit, doing a mach landing of a shuttle, dancing to music, and even catching a "High School Musical" show. I was quite surprised at the end of a lecture at the "old" mission control. It was given by a former astronaut who is now retired and working at the Space Center as a guide. Tylor walked up to him and put his hand out and said "thank you." Might not be much, but to me it was huge. My son saw the importance in this man and his experiences. The man looked at Tylor a bit teary-eyed and said a simple "your welcome son." The moments that just seem to take your breath away...You never know when they will come. When they do, you are sure glad that you did not miss it!

Just a few pics from our day:







Landing a shuttle...



Taylar's idea of fun!



The whole gang at the Amazon exhibit...



"Old" Mission Control







The size of this rocket was just amazing to us!






My sight at the end of our day....

Day 1 of Spring Break: The Aquarium

It was supposed to rain, so we chose a place that was mostly indoors. We ended up avoiding the rain thus enabling the kids to ride all of the outdoor rides after seeing all of the animals and having a BLAST! I was pleasantly surprised as I was afraid that the twins would poop out. They hung tight and ended the day having a blast in the little water blurps. As soon as we hit the freeway, they were out!

A few beautiful creatures...




A couple familar faces...

Dory!


Nemo too!


This guy was a tad bit scary...


Here are some cute faces!


"Reef" was a cool white bengal....



The water was the best part for B & B!!(I caught the big ones enjoying it too!)


Note to Brennyn: Too much water in your britches causes them to ride REALLY low...





A GREAT end to one VERY fun day!