And now a moment about me...

I found out today that I passed both the special education and media specialist certification tests. This means that I am now qualified to teach both of these subjects! This excites me greatly because I have become slightly unhappy in the regular classroom. I am ready for a change and a new atmosphere. It is looking pretty good that I will be teaching special education inclusion next year probably to grades K-3. This isn't that much different then what I do now considering 10% of third grade is special ed. I just won't have all the added stress that comes with being their homeroom teacher. No more report cards, progress reports, permanent records. Hello 5 page EIP's. I really like working with kids in small groups and LOVE the crazy little mean kids. The stresses of being a third grade homeroom teacher and teaching writing to 105 third graders has finally worn me down. Maybe a change of scenery next year will brighten things up. Every job has its downfalls but you gotta be willing to take risks and try something new (even if it is just down the hall.)

Here she is

Here is a picture that I swiped off of Chris' blog. Grace Olivia is just beautiful don't ya think! I personally think she looks a lot like Abbey when she was born.

And baby makes 7...

This afternoon my wonderful brother-in-law and sister-in-law had their first baby girl together. This makes the seventh Carpenter girl cousin. Matt and Chris are also blessed with two lovely boys who help round out the nine total Carpenter cousins!! Needless to say when we get together you know it! I can't wait to make our way down to the big city Friday afternoon and meet this wonderful new addition to our world. It seems that after all the months of praying for a safe, healthy baby girl our prayers were answered. God is good! I hope to maybe steal one of Chris' pictures soon and post it :)

A couple of new pics

My friend Sarah came up this past weekend. She is a budding photographer and likes to use the girls as her guinea pigs..needless to say I don't mind. She always gets great pictures. Here are a few that she has "released" already. More to come...
Check out her website www.berrytreephoto.com. She is really talented.

Something strange is happening....

Something is occuring tonight that rarely happens in my world...I am HOME ALONE!!!!! Hubby is off at work, Mo is at the beach (lucky duck), and Dabba-Do is spending some quality "only baby" time with her Nana and Paw Paw. So for tonight it is just me, myself, and I. What to do...What to do... I think I will start by taking a nice long, hot bath (BY MYSELF!!!). Tomorrow morning Hubby will be home and we will be off on our overnight adventure together. A weekend away is along time past due and we hope to make the most of our few hours. Girls are being spoiled rotten, and I am sitting in silence. I think it's safe to say everyone is happy tonight...except for maybe hubby.

I finally got some free time

I have been wanting to update my blog for quite a while. We have been doing lots of things. I think if you scroll on down you will be pleasantly surprised at all of my updating that I managed to get done today in between loads of laundry! Enjoy!

A Brother's Christmas

Last night we had Christmas with Hubby's mom, step-dad and brothers families. We had a wonderful time. Thanks to Aunt KiKi and Uncle Matt for hosting all of us. When we all get together there is quite a crowd. There are eight kids alone (and number nine soon on the way...but not too soon we hope!). The night was filled with love and laughter and few tears...too be expected with that many kids playing and sharing. It was wonderful to sit back and watch the kids open their presents. I even got an unexpected gift...a homemade pillow case made just for me by my nephew B-10. I hope you enjoy the pictures. We attemped to get pictures of all the kids which you would have thought would have been more difficult than a picture of the four brothers together. I think you will see it was easier to get the kids! Merry Christmas!