Organization!

Today I've spent most the day organizing and re-arranging the desks. I stole the desk we had in Madeleine's room and put it our room. I also stopped by Target to pick up a few random desk organizers. This is all in attempt to better help my situation while I'm in my second placement of student teaching.

During my last placement I had some papers upstairs, some down, and some that moved around throughout the day. I'm going to attempt to have everything in one area this time. Between Cory, Madeleine, and I the kitchen table always seems to be covered by someone's schoolwork. And maybe by having my stuff in one place upstairs, I'll be less distracted.

Madeleine has lost both of her teeth! Sometimes I can't believe how big she is, at least she still likes me. She's been doing great in school and I still find random pictures or crafts that she has hung up in the house.

Cory is workin on a variety of projects. He is trying to get everything done that comes along with taking 18 credit hours, trying to look for summer internships, and looking for jobs for when he finishes in December.

We continue to be busy, and have somehow survived. And once we've finished all we got to worry about is real life jobs... that is it... nothing to worry about... nothing at all...

February What?

I realize the end of the month is already gone and it seems like it has flown by. Cory is taking 18 credit hours, I'm student teaching and Madeleine doing her school thing, it is a miracle that dishes get done. We are trying to keep our head above water.

Cory was recently diagnosed with adult diabetes, so we have a new diet and exercise that we have to follow. Cory is doing really well, I do too (except for that one week). But this also means that he has lots of doctors and testing that he has to do too. So far, so good.

Madeleine is doing well. She loves to read and Cory works with her nightly on phonics and sounding out words. It snowed the other day, and she was not happy. The "excitement" of snow has worn off this winter, and I must admit I feel the same way. Tired of the cold, ready for spring. This winter has been unusually cold for Knoxville.

I change placements in the middle of March, if I pass of course.

We All Fall Down

So all those balls that I have been juggling the last few weeks all came down on Tuesday. I had one of those weeks when I feel like another ball is being thrown at me, then another, and another. Until at one point on Tuesday night they all just came crashing on the floor. It is one of the down sides of not being near family and asking someone who is "obligated" to help you when you call with ridiculous requests.

Luckily there is a friend that saved my sanity. She watched a sick Madeleine all day on Wednesday so that I could still make it to student teaching, and Cory could still make it to his classes.

So I have a grasp on my sanity once again... we'll see how long it lasts!

Glorious Food

Cory and I are attempting to get Madeleine to eat more than just crackers and cheese. We get her to try some bites of whatever is on my plate during dinner. When we were going out the other night, Cory said, "Madeleine you will be taking two bites of whatever Mom orders for dinner." Madeleine, "Mom can you order just white rice then?"

Seriously this girl gets her critical thinking skills from Cory, because I would have never thought of such a solution.

TWENTY-TEN!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season. Cory and I were grateful for a break from our schedules. Unfortunately that will end soon, as school starts back up and I will start student teaching. I think both Cory and I are excited and very nervous about this next year. We both finish our programs this year, which also means that we both will be looking for jobs. Should be a fun year!

And to show my high hopes for this year here is a picture of our little family in the winter of 2004, to show how far we've come... oh wait... we are still students... never mind

A No Dishes Thanksgiving

Since it was just Cory and we are both just exhausted and stressed with school assignments and projects, we decided to go to Golden Corral for Thanksgiving dinner. Granted it was not as good as going to Grandma's, but with us being in Tennessee that really is not an option. But it was good, and hey no dishes, but a little sad in no leftovers. And I will say that the afternoon bunch at Golden Corral is less scary than the crowd we saw oh Friday night a few weeks ago.

I also ventured out on my first real Black Friday experience. I went to Kohls at about 5 a.m. and since it is next door to Old Navy I stopped in there for a few things. I saved more than I spent, so I figure that was a win. And Christmas shopping is almost done, which will be nice since I have finals in a few weeks.

Cory updated my phone, for my Merry Birthday gift. I can actually text now... which means I will finally enter the year 2002.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

(email me your address if you want a Christmas card)

Time Flies When There Is Not Enough Of It

Well between my night classes, Cory's 18 credit hours, and Madeleine in Kindergarten, it does not seem like there is enough time for anything. Cory has been awesome in helping me out with cooking dinners. Him and Madeleine go every Saturday morning to do the grocery shopping while I am in class, which is a great help (even if we do end up with some interesting snacks or meals).

Cory is now in his part of the semester where projects are due, and right after Thanksgiving he will start into finals. By this time next year, Cory will be getting ready to graduate. Which seems soon, especially with how fast this last year has gone.

Madeleine is doing great in Kindergarten. She is excited to go everyday. Today is her first time buying lunch, so we'll see how that goes. Also she has her first loose tooth, and is terrified about it falling out. "I don't want to grow up," is what she tells me at night. I have even told her about the tooth fairy, but she does not seem to care how much money the tooth fairy might leave.

I am in my third quarter of night and Saturday classes. I am exhausted, but I know this tired feeling will be nothing compared to when I am student teaching in January. At this point I am just hoping to survive the program, but as soon as I get my certification, I'll get to worry about getting a job and all the good things that come from obtaining one.

So life is good, but busy. I think over Thanksgiving we will attempt to be lazy and not even make a full Thanksgiving dinner. Madeleine is still a picky enough eater, that really it will just be Cory and I eating dinner. Just means less to clean up... right? Though the thought of no left overs is a bit depressing.