What a shame

My girls are disappointing me lately. Yesterday, 3 girls at school (2 of them were my students) decided that they "just weren't going to go to class". They made up a fake story to see the counselor and then after their visit were sent to 1st hour, which they never made it to. I wouldn't have thought anything of my missing student (there's always someone absent for something), but another girl asked where she was and that she had been on the bus that morning. I call the office and inform them of this interesting bit of info, and lo and behold, an hour later, the story unfolds and they find all three girls attempting to leave the school. I guess it's to our advantage that they weren't brave, or else they would have been long gone. They're stupid (to be seen on the bus and then think no one would notice if they didn't show up to class), but not brave.

And today, during 7th hour, I confiscate a note that was being written and passed. I do not read notes out loud. I never have. I just think in this day and age, you'd have to censor so much of the note anyways, that it wouldn't be worth it. Plus, it's more fun to read it silently at my desk and get the curious stares from the writers and the rest of the class. Anyhow, I glanced at the note and read it's explicit message: two girls were discussing who they liked and if they would f*** that particular love interest. It was sick. I calmly left the note on my desk and went on with my teaching. I think they believed I just threw the note away and didn't even read it. I thouyght about what to say and do. I could have written them up an After School Detention for vulgarity. I could have called home to tell their mommies that their daughters were writing sexual content in my class. I didn't know what to do. So I waited until the end of 8th hour (over an hour later), and told the class that they were dismissed, besides the two girls. After everyone left, I called them to my desk and asked them about the note. They were dumbfounded. They said nothing. They stared at their shoes. I told them how disgusted and disappointed I was at reading the note. I told them that I was offended and did not tolerate that nastiness in my classroom. I told them what my options were as far as discipline. They were silent. I explained how much potential they both had and how they were not stupid. I gave them Lunch Detention for passing notes and explained how lucky they were. They still didn't say much. I don't know if I got through.

Sometimes my job can be so disheartening.

The many adventures of a chocolate goat, the closing gap and a pregnant babysitter

Wow, the things to share here. First of all, I know you're admiring the beautiful face of my son, with his "chocolate goat". The other night he was enjoying chocolate yogurt (sounds kinda gross, but it's pretty good, and better for you than cookies or ice cream). I just had to snap a shot.

Anyways, then there's the "closing gap" part of my title. This isn't really newsworthy (unless you live in the same town as myself--which one of you does, I suppose), but it still rocked my world. I went to the mall this weekend, and was more than shocked to find the Gap Outlet close to vacant and signs of "50% off Everything!" everywhere. They're closing for good!! Why wasn't I informed?!? A lot of Mason's clothes (and future sized clothes) came from Gap clearance. But I guess that's the problem. I never spent full price on anything there. I always veered right for the clearance racks. If there were too many people like me, I guess a place can't stay in business. So, I grabbed up a few things (including a onesie for Gracie that says "Honey" and then has a picture of a bunny on it) and walked away with my head hanging low. Okay, maybe not, but I was a little bummed.

And the last (and most momentus) bit of information: if you read the title, you probably already know: Our babysitter is pregnant!! Talk about pretty much knocking my socks off! And clearly it came as a shock to her and her hubby too. She's 41 and in no way was she trying to be a new mommy. But I guess God had other plans. She guesses she's about 8 weeks along, which puts her due date around mid to late August. Right around the time school's starting again. Hmmm...It got me and hubby thinking of what will happen to Gracie, as the plan was we would swapping Mason (because he's heading to preschool in the fall) for Grace. That may not be happening afterall. We were a little taken aback when the news was given to us at their house last night, but it's sinking in now. Every child is a blessing and I know this all happens for a reason. They certainly weren't expecting it (as this will make child #6 for them, with their birth children, adopted children and foster baby), but it happened anyways. Of course, because my hubby and I are both a bit sarcastic, cynical, and find any reason to make fun of people (shouldn't come as a shocker to any of you), we couldn't help but laugh at them. We were joking that it could even be twins. Wouldn't that make things interesting? We'll see what God had planned, right?

So, we'll give it some time and then start talking seriously and thinking about what our other options are for Gracie's care. We've already had a few potential offers, so we'll see. It'll work itself out in the end, but it's weird to think that Grace may not be spending the first three years of her life with Ms. Cindy, as Mason did.

And that, my friends, is what's been going on with me.

9 weeks from today...

We should be resting in the hospital, still in shock that we are parents of two children...My C-Section is scheduled for Friday, March 21. That's 9 weeks, people!! That means I have 8 weeks left of school. Crazy. In some ways, it seems still far away, but flipping through my planbook at school, it feels like it's tomorrow. I'm glad it's not tomorrow, but it will be here before we know it!

That's so unreal.

Our little chubby girl

New photos of Gracie to come soon!!

Tomorrow we go in for our 3D Ultrasound. We're really excited, as Mason's turned out really cool and we actually get to see her features and which one of us she looks most like (but most people think my hubby and I look like brother and sister anyways, so shouldn't they look like both of us equally?).

Once we've ogled over the pictures (and have showed them to everyone and the mailman), we'll be sure to post at least one.

That is, if she sits still long enough to get her picture taken. If you haven't seen a 3D where the baby was moving around, it looks a little creepy.

We shall see!

So much to say

Last week was amazing and wonderful and a joy and something I will never forget. I got to see one of my very best friends in the whole wide world, who lives practically across the world. My mom and I went out and surprised her for her baby shower and it was such a blast and a whirlwind. We went out last Wednesday and stayed until Sunday. There's so much I could say here and tell you about, but it's hard to put into words how I felt to be around her, and for us to be able to share our pregnancy, even for just a moment in time. In this picture, that's PBAF (and Lily Grace) on the left and me (and Grace Maureen) on the right. Someday they will meet. Until then, we will have the precious memory of the visit.

Our Tater Tot is 3!!

Well, it's almost been a week since our little Spud Bud, Mason, turned 3. Over the week of Christmas, he had a total of 3 birthdays I think, with the ending being this past Saturday. I think he thinks his birthday is like Mardi Gras, and it lasts a week!

Hopefully we can fine tune that as he gets older...
Anyhow, here's the picture from his party invitation, a
picture of his birthday cake from the party, and his very favorite present (A Larry that transforms from Larry, LarryBoy, King George, a viking and Little Joe).