My Job

I love my job! I really do. Granted I'm only going on two months of employment, but still, it's a nice feeling to actually enjoy where you head off to in the morning.
I've met some great people, and some not so much. (I try not to let those get to me.) But of course, what job doesn't come with it's downs…

My favorite part is that I get to see my kid throughout the day as well. Every once in a while, even for just a second, I see him. I know this is going to be extremely difficult come next fall, but for now I'm enjoying the heck out of it. ;)
I so love that all the kids know me as "C.J.'s Mom." And yell to me, every single one, every time they see me, "Hi, C.J.'s Mom!" It makes me laugh. They are slowly, coming around to Mrs. Laura.

C.J.'s best friend is David and he gives me kisses every time he sees me too. (He sees that I give C.J. kisses all the time so he thought he should get them too.) He also calls me Mama. <3
His parents are the nicest people too and we've even exchanged information to get the boys together on the weekends.

Things are going well. I'm exhausted, but I take that as a good sign.
I take an hour break Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 30 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I run on my hour breaks, (I have a free gym membership so I take advantage) and make quick errands on the other days. Sometimes, I just head into the office and sit and chat with my directors, Candace and Sarah. It's a nice change from the room and good company.

My days tend to go by pretty quickly. I'm in by 8:30am and out by 4:30pm on most days.
My coworker, Britney, is the lead teacher, she arrives at 7am and there is usually one or two babies and their parents waiting.  By the time I arrive, there are 5. By 9am, all 10 babies have made their way.
Our schedules are pretty hectic, between feeding schedules, diaper changes (as needed or every 2 hours), unscheduled naps, stroller walks, park play, and lesson plans - our day is nonstop! We try to have as much fun as possible. We have rough days, after all we are dealing with infants, but for the most part things go well.

All our teachers our CDA certified and some have their Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education. C.J.'s Lead Teacher, Mrs. Sherri was a Kindergarten teacher at a private school a few years ago. We love her!! She is amazing and C.J. adores her.

Both of the centers directors are also wonderful leaders. They have an open-door policy and keep in constant contact. They were wonderful enough to accept C.J. into their school and even more generous to give me a job. They understand how important our home lives and our families are, and accommodate all of us as well as possible.

Since I am now the assistant, I am working on all my trainings online to meet state requirements. :)
Things are going well and I couldn't be happier.
This is definitely something great that is helping me get back into the workforce.

My, My, Look who's Five.

We have reached yet another milestone! 5 Years Old!!
My goodness - the blink of an eye.

I know I write a blog about my LiL Man every year but I wanted to share something new with you this year. I actually did this with him when he turned 4 but he didn't quite understand most of the questions,

But this year he is wiser and better prepared ;)

20 Questions for C.J. :

1. What is your favorite color? Green
2. What's your favorite toy? Rex the dinosaur
3. What's your favorite fruit? Strawberries
4. What's your favorite TV show? Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
5. What do you like to have for lunch? Burgers
6. What is your favorite outfit? Green Lantern T-shirt
7. What is your favorite game? Star Wars
8. What is your favorite snack? Pretzels
9. What is your favorite animal? Elephants
10. What is your favorite song? Xbox Songs
11. What is your favorite book? Pirates go to School 
12. Who is your best friend? David (from his class)
13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruit Loops
14. What do you like to play outside? Play at the park. 
15. What is your favorite drink? Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween
17. Who do you like to take with you to bed at night? Dave Darinko (Ugly Doll) 
18. What do you like to have for breakfast? Toast with Jelly
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? (He doesn't seem to understand this question yet. He says "bigger.") 

Here you go; A little something about C.J. :)
I'm excited to try this again next year and see how much his answers change.

I've been hired!

And I have a job!!!

I am officially an employee of the Habersham YMCA Pre-School and the Child Care Center.
Although I have to admit that I was becoming a tad discouraged, I continued to pray and God answered me.
I am thrilled about this position!
The best part is that for the rest of this year I will be working at the same place C.J. attends school. I will go in after he does and be out with him as well.
It just fits perfectly into my expectations and my time.
All next week I will be working in the infant room - I LOVE BABIES!
This is going to be great!

Now to find us a home.. :)

♫ These are a few of my favorite things... ♫

My Boys. <3 (All 4 of them.) ;)  I honestly do not know where I would be without these guys.
Hand written letters in the mail - A wonderful and warming surprise to find one of these when I open that mailbox.
Pedicures
Family photos - Year round and on special occasions. I need to think about where I want us to do our photos this year and when!
Reading - I LOVE BOOKS!
Crossword puzzles
Running - My escape. Doesn't matter how tired, pissed off, or sick I am, a run can fix it anything.
Blogging
The Sutliff's - My favorite family of three. I love them more than anything. Phone calls, texts, photos, cards, gifts, and trips are always something to look forward to.
WINE
Acting - My passion, my dream.
Traveling
Coffee - It completes me. And yes, this includes Starbucks. Hello my name is Laura and I am an addict.
Dance
Cupcakes
Champagne - Mimosas in the morning or bubbly at night, one of my favorite drinks.
Movies - Horror
The Truex's
Music - Goo Goo Dolls, 311
SHOES (I own about 60 pairs, I think.)
Potatoes - Fried, Mashed, Whipped or Baked
Soccer - It makes me so happy the kid is so into it as well.
My LiL Sis - I love my sister so much! We didn't always have the best relationship but nothing can break our bond now. <3
FRIENDS
Sex and the City
Will & Grace
C.J.'s GodMother and my favorite cousin, Monica.
The Thompson's

Officially a Pre-Schooler :)

Last week was C.J.'s first "week" of Pre-K. We got a call last Tuesday about an opening at the Habersham YMCA Pre-school, where C.J. had been on a waiting list since late June. Of course we accepted and went to get all of his paperwork filled out and his registrations completed.
He was so excited when we told him he was going to be starting school. :)
When we arrived at the school, we had a nice meeting with the Director and got a quick tour of the school. Then the paperwork. I guess since I never did it before, it didn't seem like such a big deal until now. So much paperwork....

So excited!!

We had to make a stop at the Savannah Health Dept. to get an Ear, Eye, and Dental check for C.J. and get his immunization record switched from Texas to Georgia. He ended up having to get a Hep-B shot but other than that it was no problem. It was also only a 2-hour wait to get these two documents. (I hope I never have to return there again.)
We went to Target to get his school supply list - many supplies..haha Easily $100 spent. All worth it. I wanted him to be prepared and set for the school year. He was very happy with his Super Mario Bros. backpack. :)
He was a little upset though after he realized he wouldn't be starting that day but quickly got over it as we explained he could start the very next day.

Heading to drop-off.

On Wednesday, bright-and-early, (7am to be exact) we were up and getting C.J. ready for his first day
of school. He was happy and in the best mood the whole time - made the day so much easier for me. I was on the verge of tears at every moment but he kept it together like a big boy for his Mommie and that in return made me keep it together.

The school is about a 25 minute drive from we currently live
but it's fairly easy and we don't hit too much traffic until we are down the road from the school itself.

We walked into the school and headed straight for his classroom to meet his teachers - Mrs. Sherri and Mrs. Katrina. Both sweet, delightful women.
He found his name, sat at his seat, and was ready to go.
No muss, no fuss.
I was so proud....and so emotional. :)

He had a great first day! He didn't nap at school that day but all went well. He told us about what he ate
and how his day went and when we asked him if he made any friends he said no, but it's okay. LOL
We had to laugh. He was so nonchalant about it!
It's like he understood it was just the first day and tomorrow he could make friends.
I can't believe how much he's grown up. And how mature he can be about situations...





Uncle Mike showed up about 4:30 at the apartment, walking through the door with a cake in hand and a candle lit. :)
C.J. was ecstatic! And I was in complete awe - he is the best.
It was a "Happy 1st Day of Pre-school" cake!
This kid is too spoiled by his Uncles. <3







He did so well all last week, every day at drop-off. And every day we pick him up his teachers always have good things to say. He behaves well and does what he's told and he doesn't fight with the other kids (one thing I'll admit, I was a little worried about). He's really been enjoying it. He asks every day if he's going to school. This weekend was tough for him, he kept asking why he wasn't in school on Saturday or Sunday - next week is gonna be worse with the 3-day weekend. :)

He loves school! And I'm so glad he's having so much fun. I hope he continues to do so.
I know it's only the beginning and he still has a long way to go but I want him to continue with this anticipation and excitement.
I pray he makes good choices.

I need a job...

We've only been in Georgia a few weeks now but I've been actively searching for employment since before we left Texas and still....nothing.
Not even a phone call for an interview.
I know I shouldn't be inpatient and things will fall into place on their own.
God is waiting for the right opportunity.
I'm just hoping to get some news soon.
C.J. is going to be heading to school soon and I've just reached the point where I'm ready to return to the workforce as well.
I've filled about 50 applications and sent my resumé to countless companies as well - I pray someone finds me. :)

And we're moving!

I am so excited to announce this new chapter in our lives. We're packing up and leaving Houston in just  a couple of weeks and heading to Savannah, Georgia. I am really looking forward to this.
It will be a new start, a new city, and definitely something we need.
I have been actively searching for employment in the area and haven't had much luck, so I hope once we get over there it will make the search a little easier.
On top of this, I can't wait to see my Mike's. ;) I've missed them.
We are praying that our transition is smooth and this will only continue to move our life forward.
Everyone please wish us safe travels and good thoughts for new career opportunities.