In training

POTTY training, that is!

*NOTE* I started this post back in June and never posted it for some reason...so this info is a little dated.

Makayla has finally decided that she's too big for diapers anymore...thank goodness!! She's 2 1/2 and started wearing pull ups a couple of weeks ago and she's doing great! It helps that one of the little boys she stays with is now potty trained. They cheer each other on so they can get their "potty treats."

She isn't fully trained yet, but we're getting close. Now that I'm home with her all day, I'm able to work with her more. She thinks she's so grown and loves to wear her panties on top of her pull ups. She refers to her panties as "big wear." I'm so proud of my munchkin and can't wait to be free of diapers!!

We have been brave enough to venture out of the house once or twice without a pull up and Mak has done great! And let me just say how much I HATE public restrooms now that we're potty training. I think I've been to every restroom in every business in all of Houston in the past 2 months! Every time she sees a potty she has to go! I hope this gets easier. :)

I graduated!

I did it!! I am officially a graduate of Sam Houston State University with a Master of Education degree. I never thought I would ever finish! And now I am crazy enough to think that I want to go back to school to get a doctorate. Who knows if that will ever happen but we will see!

Jeff's dad drove in from Birmingham on Thursday, May 12th and my mom flew in on Friday morning. We spent the day hanging out together before we got ready to head up to Huntsville, Texas for graduation. Graduation was wonderful, (even though it was Friday the 13th) and didn't last too long. Makayla sat still for most of the time, I was told.

On Saturday, Mom and I got to spend some time shopping, although we didn't really buy anything. But it was so nice to just be able to spend the day with her. Makayla had a great time getting lots of kisses from her Nana and Grandpa Ken. All in all, we had a short but sweet visit.

As I sit here now and type, Makayla is in her room watching Toy Story, Grandpa Ken is back in Alabama and Nana is on an airplane somewhere between Texas and Alabama. :)

Finally

I started working on my Master's Degree way back in 2006 and I am FINALLY almost finished. Yes, I know it shouldn't have taken me almost 5 years to finish but I did have some obstacles to overcome. Since I was teaching, I could only take one class at a time, so that automatically set me back. Then in 2008, I was put on bed rest with my precious baby girl so I had to resign from school. After taking a year off to take care of my baby, I got back into the swing of things. So, after all of my hard work and dedication, I have turned in my portfolio for review and I am now waiting to hear from my professors to see if I passed. Hopefully I will find out this week and then I will go in for the interview. I pray that everything works out and I can finally graduate. I have my cap, gown and hood ready to go for May 13th! And yes, I will be walking across that stage to receive my diploma. I thought about not walking but I changed my mind...I have worked too hard not to walk. So, I will keep you updated on graduation. Wish me luck!

Have you ever wondered....

what EXHAUSTION looks like????? Well, here it is!

1. Being mommy to a two year old (that's exhausting all by itself!)

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2. Working full time as a third grade teacher

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3. Teaching extended day until 5:00 two days a week

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4. Teaching Saturday school from 8:00-12:00

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5. Working on my internship project (powerpoints, papers)

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6. Working on my portfolio that's due in April so I can graduate in May

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7. Trying to keep my house clean and laundry done (notice, this is the last thing on the list)

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E X H A U S T I O N ! ! ! !

I can't wait until June gets here!

Snow day!!

Ok, well, we didn't get any snow but we got lots of ICE so we had a day off! Makayla and I got to stay home and be lazy while Jeff had to go into work. We played all day, snuggled and watched cartoons. I love days like these when I have no place to be and can just hang out with my little (big) girl. We had a very uneventful day...just as I had planned! Thank you mother nature, for a much needed snuggle day with my girl!

I really need to do better!

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I blogged last! How sad! I guess that goes to show how busy and crazy my life was in 2010...and still is. So, let's recap 2010 all in one post:

1. Makayla Ann turned two years old. We had a wonderful party for her here in Texas (maybe I'll blog about it later)

2. I got a new teaching job at an awesome elementary school that I LOVE! I love my co-workers and the kiddos! I'm still teaching third grade.

3. We got a puppy! I had been talking about wanting a puppy so one day, Jeff showed up at home with one. He was so tiny and cute. He's still cute but not as tiny. His name is Tiger and he loves Makayla as much as she loves him.

4. I continued working on my Master's degree which took up most of my free time. I graduate in May...FINALLY!!

5. Oh, and I forgot the mention that I got "Teacher of the Year" at my school this year! It was such a great honor.

6. Makayla and I went to Alabama for Christmas. Jeff had to work so Mak and I had to go alone. We visited lots of people and had lots of fun.

7. This actually happened in 2011, but Jeff went to Arizona to watch Auburn play in the National Championship game. He met his dad, step mom and brother out there. They had lots of fun and were so excited about the win!

I guess those are the major things that were happening with us over the past year. I can't believe how fast Makayla is growing up. Is is so not a baby anymore. She's a big girl. She talks and talks and talks non-stop. Everything isn't always clear but I can pretty much figure out what's she's saying. She is so sweet...most of the time! It's so cute how she carries her baby dolls around and rocks them and changes their diapers. She's such a little mama. I think we have finally gotten the time out thing down pat. She knows when she's in trouble and goes straight to time out. Sometimes it doesn't work for me, but if Daddy starts counting to three she takes off to time out or does whatever it was she was supposed to do. Ok, enough about Makayla. :)

I hope to blog weekly, if I can come up with anything to say. My days consist of teaching, working on grad school work and playing with Makayla. So, we'll see!