3 Months!

I really cannot believe my little handsome boy is 3 months old!

Here's what he says:

"I am rolling over all the time."

"I am sleeping from 7:30 pm to 7:00 am."

"My bottom 2 teeth are almost through. Yes, I'm cranky. Yes, I'm slobbery. No, I don't want to be little for too much longer!"

"I am wearing 6 month clothes because I am so long. I want to be tall, just like my daddy."

"I talk to my favorite toys."

"I look JUST like my daddy. Well, at least that's what everyone says when they see me."

"I love my mom. A lot."

Fashion Sense

Some moms care what their children wear. They make sure their daughter's hair is done every day, their clothes always match, and that they are always presentable.

I am not one of those moms.

If I do Sariah's hair, it's undone in 5 minutes. This is why she has a haircut that looks good even when it's not brushed through.

Most days, Sariah doesn't even get dressed. That is alright with me. In Arizona, it's not cold! She can run around in a diaper all she wants. Saves on laundry, right?

There are some days where Sariah does want to get dressed. And, if we happen to go out, I let Sariah get herself dressed. She picks out what she wants to wear, shoes and socks included. Most days, she matches great! I love having a little independent munchkin.

Other days...she looks like this:


Flowery shirt (that's almost too small), polka dot shorts, red/blue striped socks, and her "princess shoes" (which are silver sparkly shoes).

We should all learn a few fashion lessons from my little diva.

From Couch to 5k: Week 1

I started training tonight. HOOAH!

This is what I'm doing (per the couch to 5k experts): 60 second jog, 90 second walk. Alternate for 20 minutes. 3 times a week. MWF.

I calculated it out - that's 8 cycles. 8 minutes of jogging and 12 minutes of walking.

We'll see if I'm alive tomorrow.

I've come a long way...

But I realized after trying to jog for a mere 60 seconds, that I have a long way to go.

It's thrilling, really. The thought of being able to jog for 30 minutes without stopping is truly incredible.

From Couch to...

5k.

I am running my first 5k.

December 5, Reid Park.

3.1 miles.

I'm scared.

I'm the girl who got a "D" on her middle school progress report for PE because I couldn't run a mile in under 12 minutes.

From couch to 5k in 8 weeks. I CAN DO IT!

Anyone want to join me?

Erin, my sister in law, will be joining me for moral support. She can run a 5k in her sleep. =) I'm happy for the company, for her suggestion, and for her encouragement!

Lesson #1 While Shrinking

Dedicating yourself to diet an exercise is a demanding feat. Some win, and some have to battle it their entire lives. As I have had success in losing weight this time around, I have learned a lot. I've learned a lot from eating right. I've learned a lot from having to persevere. And, I've learned a lot from walking. I'm going to document these lessons, and here's the first and second Lesson I've Learned While Shrinking.

Our neighborhood is full of great hills. I love walking my neighborhood because of them. They're not huge - they are gently sloping...but long. It takes endurance (for me, at least) to get to the top of these hills.

There's one hill in particular that I couldn't even get to the top of when I started exercising. I told myself that not only would I get to the top of it, I would do it twice in my workout.

Last night, on my walk, I decided to try. I started up the hill. I kept my eyes on the top of that hill, where a stoplight was waiting with its changing colors. It felt like it took all I had to get to the top, and it also felt like it took way too long. When I finally reached the top, I kept going. I didn't turn back. Huffing and puffing, I kept going.

Second time around - yikes. The hill looked even bigger because I was tired from already walking almost 2.5 miles. My legs felt like jello, but I started the hill anyways. I was so tired, that I kept my eyes on the ground. I watched where my feet were going, and I would glance up at the top only every once in a while. Take it one step at a time, that's what I told myself. Steady, sure, but one step at a time. But this time, when I got to the top, I stopped. I looked back to see how far I had gone. One step at a time, I made it to the top.

I learned two lessons from my walk last night.

Lesson #1: One step at a time. When we climb our "hills" one step at a time, the challenge doesn't seem so large. This will help us keep steady, keep climbing, and not give up.

Lesson #2: Look back once in a while. If we look back every so often, we will be able to see how far we've come. That will give us the strength to then turn back around and see how much farther we have to go.



One step at a time, we can make it.

Look back once in a while - we'll feel proud of how far we've come.

NOTE: Please bear with me as I document these lessons. I'm not always so philosophical!

Bare

Think I need to go to the grocery store???

The Biggest Loser

This is my favorite show. It is so inspiring, and gives me great ideas on how to step up my own workout. My favorite part of the show is the last few moments when they show the eliminated player and the progress they have made since leaving the show. I love seeing the satisfaction on their face as they realize that they can do it at home, too. They are strong, and they have accomplished something major.

Last summer, I decided I was going to be my own biggest loser. I stepped on the scale (which I hadn't done in years), and teared up as I saw the number. Getting over my pity party, I wrote the number down.

25 pounds lighter, I found myself pregnant. Whohoo! But, my journey would have to wait.

Once I had James, I stepped back on the scale. My baby weight was gone, as was about 5 additional pounds. I wrote that number down, and that is where I started in July. July 26 to be exact.

TOTAL weight lost: 41.6 pounds since my initial weigh-in last summer.

As I watched the season premier last night, each contestant told their story. We all have reasons for being overweight, and letting those reasons go is one of the keys to losing weight and keeping it off.

One contestant sobbed as she told of the car accident that took her husband, her 5 year old daughter, and her 3 week (I think) old son. All of her immediate family and those she cherishes most, gone. Just like that. I sobbed with her, as did many contestants, and as I'm sure millions watching did.

But then I had a thought. If she can do it - she who has reason to give up and not fight - then so can I.

So here's to a new season - for these contestants, for me, and may it be a new season for all of you in whatever category you choose to have a new season in!
.

Dear Grandma and Grandpa Franklin

(As you can tell, your granddaughter wanted to be cheesy and not take a nice picture. Silly girl!)

There once were two kids
Who were so precious and dear.
They missed their grandparents so
And wished they were near.

These two kids missed their hugs
And missed when they would play.
They missed their "I love you's"
Said to them every day!

So these two sweet kids
thought and thought and thought and thought
About ways for them to see their grandparents
Very soon, and miss them not.

So to our Grandparents Franklin
Who we love so dear
"Please come and visit us
For Christmas this year!"

(Tickets are $250 each from December 17-31.)

(Mommy and Daddy invite you out for Christmas this year. They would love it, but not as much as we would!!)

And then there were 3

I've been trying to find a job teaching online for over a year.

Now, in the last 2 weeks, I have 3.

I was offered positions at all 3 schools.

NAU - teaching a science methods course to master's degree students.

Primavera - teaching biology and physical science.

University of Phoenix - Teaching SCI/162 Principles of Health and Wellness (a science course).

How do I choose which one??

NAU - who knows what kind of career this could turn in to! I can go back and get my PhD for FREE. My kids can go to any university in Arizona for 25% tuition. I'd be teaching master's degree students who want to be there, and who are serious about college. 1 night a week at a top college for education? WOW.

Primavera - I MISS TEACHING. I miss teaching biology. I really do. Not only would I be teaching biology, but I'd also be teaching physical science. Great pay, but this one will be a lot more work than the other 2. I'd love to still teach and tutor science, but be able to do it from home.

University of Phoenix - I've been trying to get on with them for over a year. I've made it through the selection process once, only to be turned down. That was for a critial thinking course, but this is a SCIENCE course! I was offered this position. Again - who knows what kind of career this one could turn in to, too.

I prayed about it. I thought about it. I wrote down my pro's and con's of each one. I didn't get a good answer about any of them.

So, I went back to praying. This time, I changed my praying. The thought came in to my head of "why not try each one?" So I prayed about that. Yup, that's what I need to do.

Call me crazy, but I am going to do all 3. I'm going to do only 1 section of each course for each school, and give them all a chance. Then, I will have a much better understanding of which one will suit our needs at this time, and which ones I like the best. I don't want to close any doors. If I choose two, and turn down the third, I may really regret that.

I am blessed. My family is being blessed. I get to work from home and earn a decent income.

And...it's nice to know that my education and teaching experiences are valued. When Primavera called and offered me the position, he said, "We'd be crazy NOT to hire you. You're exactly what we're looking for." Almost no greater compliment than that. Let's just hope I like the job. =)

Where Were You?

9/11.
Like the day JFK was shot, or when Pearl Harbor was bombed, everyone will remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news.
I was in college.
It was 5:45am when my roommate's dad called to tell us of the news. He was military.
As the 5 of us sat in our living room in our pj's watching in horror, we cried.
We hugged each other.
We prayed.

We went to class as normal, because classes were not canceled. In my Chemistry class was a friend who's family worked in the towers. She had not been able to get a hold of them. She didn't know if they were safe. She didn't know if they were alive.
(They were.)

Those poor families who lost their loved ones, especially the pregnant mothers who lost their husbands. The children that never knew the fathers they had, who were so brave and gave up their lives to save others. Both in the planes, and on the ground alike.

On this day, I am grateful for freedom.
I am grateful for sacrifice.
I am grateful for safety.
I am grateful for faith.

I am also grateful for remembrance - may we never forget what happened on that day.

Dreamtime Consulting

I have started my own Infant Sleep Consulting business. Please check it out, and let me know what you think. If you know of someone who could use my help, please pass my name along. There's no better advertisement or vote of confidence than word of mouth.



www.dreamtimeconsulting.blogspot.com

Proof!

Some don't believe me when I tell them that James is rolling over.

Well, I finally have the proof. This little guy is STRONG.

Speechless.

I LOVE teaching. I really love teaching. So when I decided to stay home with my newborn daughter 2 years ago, it was a heart-wrenching decision. I knew I wanted to be a mom, but I loved teaching. It was a crossroad in my life that took a lot of thought, budget-adjustment, and even more prayer.

I ultimately decided to stay at home with Sariah. This was great because it allowed me to take in my niece and nephew a few days a week, play with Sariah, and enjoy being a mom.

Then, along came James. Boy, I am really glad I decided to stay home, now!

But I miss teaching. A lot. So, I decided that I might try to find an online teaching position somewhere. I had my Master's degree, so I could teach for Pima or an online University (such as the University of Phoenix). I could also teach for an online high school.

Oh wait - scrap the high school. Although I have my Master's degree, I didn't finish the necessary steps to obtain my teaching certificate.

But, a lot of online high schools are having record enrollment. Maybe I'll finish the last 2 requirements so I can apply for my certificate? Yes. I knew this was what I needed to do. I enrolled in an 8-week online course through Pima, and signed up to take the proficiency test. Just in case.

2 weeks ago, I was contacted by NAU. They have an opening at their Tucson campus and they are interested in hiring me. Wonderful position!! I would be teaching the science methods course to Master's degree students. WOW. But...(and this is a big butt)...it's not online. I would have to be away on Monday evenings from 5-10 pm. But...(another big butt)...who knows what it could turn in to? Once I get my foot in the door, I'd have insider access to the online openings! Big bonus right there. I have an interview with them next week.

Last week, I was contacted by the University of Phoenix. I sent in my resume months ago, and made it all the way through the interviewing process. I was not selected. I was sad. Then, I opened my email last week and found an interview request! See, there's 3 steps to the process.
1. Send in the resume.
2. Online interview (answer these 15 questions in a word document and email the answers in).
3. Phone interview.
Once you complete the phone interview, you are offered a position if you are what they are looking for. By 3pm on Thursday, I had completed steps 1 and 2. Now, let's wait for step 3.

My cell phone rings at 9:25 this morning. It's the principal from an online high school. She's very interested in hiring me because their enrollment has doubled this year and she desperately needs a good science teacher. Cue Moi. Now, I would not have gotten this phone call had I not already been enrolled in my course at Pima and been on my way to my teaching certificate. That decision I made 3 months ago has made its appearance as to WHY I made that decision 3 months ago. The job is mine, if I want it. I have to have an in-person interview on Friday to meet and greet, shake hands, and sign a piece of paper.

I get online at 10:30 to email my hubby the good news, and what do I find in my inbox?? A PHONE interview request from the University of Phoenix!!! Within 1 hour of each other, I have a job offered to me by an online high school, and am moving on to the last step of the interviewing process of UofP.

Oh, and don't forget NAU.

I really am speechless. THIS IS SO COOL.

I will let you know how my interview on Friday goes.

My phone interview for U of P isn't for a couple weeks, but I'll let you know how that goes, too.

If I decide to take the online high school job, I will turn down NAU. I would rather teach online than on a ground campus. One step at a time. I can't get ahead of myself. But it's so hard!!

Now I just need to take a deep breath and wait and see what happens.