Why do I watch the finale of the Biggest Loser and think... i could totally win this... and then continue drinking the dr. pepper in my glass and the ice cream in my bowl?
seriously.
5 days ago
Trust?
Look at this guy. If you met him on the street, at a party, in church, at your child's school... would you trust him?
I can tell you without a doubt, I would. I tend to be very trusting of people. I would take one look at this clean shaven, well dressed, well groomed man and think he was a good guy. You know, one of those guys who spends his weeks working with the kids at the school where he is a principal and weekends mowing his grass and grilling chicken with a beer. Only one beer though, he has a reputation to uphold. Sunday would be spent in church working with the youth group, maybe even children's church. He would hold open the doors for ladies, always compliment them, and listen intently to the stories told and retold by the older ladies of the church.
Yes, I can paint a picture of this man's life with one picture. Even if it is his booking picture. (bet the defense would kill to have me on their jury)
This man is nothing that I wrote above. Well, not the good stuff. He is well groomed, clean shaven, and well dressed. He is also an administrator at a Tulsa elementary school. That is probably where the good ends. This man, Robert Yerton, is accused of molesting young men during the past 10 years while holding a role of "safe person".
This blog isn't about whether or not this man is guilty. Quite frankly, that will be up to a group of his peers. I pray that this is all a misunderstanding and he isn't guilty of anything charged.
This blog is about the fact that the rose colored glasses I have worn for so long are fading fast. It scares me to death that I can't protect my child from these predators. It scares me to death that I trust these folks... but wait! Aren't you supposed to trust teachers???
I know I can't keep my children with me 24/7 (I do now), so how do I prepare them (and myself) for the big bad world? Homeschooling is something that keeps popping up in my head... but really? I would hate myself for allowing my children to miss out on the highs and lows of public school. Seriously, the friendships, lessons, and well... memories.
How do we keep our children in a bubble?!
I can tell you without a doubt, I would. I tend to be very trusting of people. I would take one look at this clean shaven, well dressed, well groomed man and think he was a good guy. You know, one of those guys who spends his weeks working with the kids at the school where he is a principal and weekends mowing his grass and grilling chicken with a beer. Only one beer though, he has a reputation to uphold. Sunday would be spent in church working with the youth group, maybe even children's church. He would hold open the doors for ladies, always compliment them, and listen intently to the stories told and retold by the older ladies of the church.
Yes, I can paint a picture of this man's life with one picture. Even if it is his booking picture. (bet the defense would kill to have me on their jury)
This man is nothing that I wrote above. Well, not the good stuff. He is well groomed, clean shaven, and well dressed. He is also an administrator at a Tulsa elementary school. That is probably where the good ends. This man, Robert Yerton, is accused of molesting young men during the past 10 years while holding a role of "safe person".
This blog isn't about whether or not this man is guilty. Quite frankly, that will be up to a group of his peers. I pray that this is all a misunderstanding and he isn't guilty of anything charged.
This blog is about the fact that the rose colored glasses I have worn for so long are fading fast. It scares me to death that I can't protect my child from these predators. It scares me to death that I trust these folks... but wait! Aren't you supposed to trust teachers???
I know I can't keep my children with me 24/7 (I do now), so how do I prepare them (and myself) for the big bad world? Homeschooling is something that keeps popping up in my head... but really? I would hate myself for allowing my children to miss out on the highs and lows of public school. Seriously, the friendships, lessons, and well... memories.
How do we keep our children in a bubble?!
Sandbox Birthday
I am a bit behind on posting pictures from Blayne's second birthday... Seems like I am a bit behind on life in general lately.
Blayne turned two on March 6, 2010. I can't even begin to explain how quickly the past 24+ months have flown by. It makes me very sad when I think that in just two short years, Blayne will be attending Pre-K and getting ready for school. amazing...
Blayne's Birthday was on a Saturday this year; however, Kevin was taking a class to keep his license for work, so we decided not to have a big party. We spend the day in Slick with Memaw and Pepaw. Blayne's favorite place to be in the universe is outside, so he got to play all day! We went from the Sandbox, to the park, to the swingset, to just running around. He had a blast.
My grandparents have had a turtle sandbox since I was a baby. I mostly remember pretending I was Mr. Rogers when I played it. You see, I was addicted to Mr, Rogers and he had the best sandbox of all time!!
I can remember playing in it with my friends, cousins... etc. I remember putting the lid on tip and using it as a trampoline, as my grandparents would NOT buy one for me. Lots of special memories are in that little sandbox.
Funny- I guess I was pretty old before I realized that they must have replaced the sandbox again and again... I just thought it was the same old one.
Needless to say, they still have that green turtle sandbox in their back yard. It isn't under the big tree anymore, the big tree has been cut down... it isn't next to the tire swing either... but it is there! Jaci and Blayne spend HOURS playing in the box.
Now- when I was a little girl, there was a rule: NO THROWING SAND!: It seems that since a new generation has arrived- that rule is out the window. At least when it comes to Blayne that is... Now they say, " we can always replace it, Jennifer. Let the boy play..." When did they let ME play? ha.
Below are some shots of Blayne playing in the sandbox on his Birthday. He had sooo much fun.
Happy Birthday Blayne, We love you so very much!
Finally - The Elmo shirt he is wearing... he would have lived in it if we would have let him. everything was ELMO.... I'm all for elmo, love sesame street... but am very glad everything isn't elmo now...
Blayne turned two on March 6, 2010. I can't even begin to explain how quickly the past 24+ months have flown by. It makes me very sad when I think that in just two short years, Blayne will be attending Pre-K and getting ready for school. amazing...
Blayne's Birthday was on a Saturday this year; however, Kevin was taking a class to keep his license for work, so we decided not to have a big party. We spend the day in Slick with Memaw and Pepaw. Blayne's favorite place to be in the universe is outside, so he got to play all day! We went from the Sandbox, to the park, to the swingset, to just running around. He had a blast.
My grandparents have had a turtle sandbox since I was a baby. I mostly remember pretending I was Mr. Rogers when I played it. You see, I was addicted to Mr, Rogers and he had the best sandbox of all time!!
I can remember playing in it with my friends, cousins... etc. I remember putting the lid on tip and using it as a trampoline, as my grandparents would NOT buy one for me. Lots of special memories are in that little sandbox.
Funny- I guess I was pretty old before I realized that they must have replaced the sandbox again and again... I just thought it was the same old one.
Needless to say, they still have that green turtle sandbox in their back yard. It isn't under the big tree anymore, the big tree has been cut down... it isn't next to the tire swing either... but it is there! Jaci and Blayne spend HOURS playing in the box.
Now- when I was a little girl, there was a rule: NO THROWING SAND!: It seems that since a new generation has arrived- that rule is out the window. At least when it comes to Blayne that is... Now they say, " we can always replace it, Jennifer. Let the boy play..." When did they let ME play? ha.
Below are some shots of Blayne playing in the sandbox on his Birthday. He had sooo much fun.
Happy Birthday Blayne, We love you so very much!
Finally - The Elmo shirt he is wearing... he would have lived in it if we would have let him. everything was ELMO.... I'm all for elmo, love sesame street... but am very glad everything isn't elmo now...
stupid
So, Kevin and I were driving home from Slick today and I witnessed the strangest thing.
We were just around the last turn, you know the one, past Kings, before Coles... anyway... the state of Okahoma is replacing the bridge on Highway 16. There are always a TON of vehicles.
Today we met one of those that pick up the debris off of the highway. Alas, there was some shredded tire on the highway... The truck was stopped. The guy got out and KICKED THE TRASH IN THE DITCH!!!
seriously.
We were just around the last turn, you know the one, past Kings, before Coles... anyway... the state of Okahoma is replacing the bridge on Highway 16. There are always a TON of vehicles.
Today we met one of those that pick up the debris off of the highway. Alas, there was some shredded tire on the highway... The truck was stopped. The guy got out and KICKED THE TRASH IN THE DITCH!!!
seriously.
iPhone - 0 Life - 3
Timeline:
April 15 - iPhone went AWOL. Yes, Absent without leave. That is huge.
April 16 - Actually realized phone is missing. grr
April 17 - Spend the next week without a phone, or with Kevin's... blah blah
April 22 -am: Upgraded my account and brought home new iPhone 3gs
pm: Brand new pretty phone, fell off kitchen counter and shattered glass. Yes.
April 23 - Drove to Tulsa, sick as a dog, and spent an obscene amount of cash to replace glass and purchase
the famed "otter box". Stupid salesman said it would be water proof. lair.
May 05 - Blayne decided to see if the phone, that was inside the waterproof otter box, could float.
iPhone - 0 Dr. Pepper - 1
Seriously- when does a girl get a break.
Lucky for me- we found the old phone.
Blayne is definitely his FATHERS CHILD.
April 15 - iPhone went AWOL. Yes, Absent without leave. That is huge.
April 16 - Actually realized phone is missing. grr
April 17 - Spend the next week without a phone, or with Kevin's... blah blah
April 22 -am: Upgraded my account and brought home new iPhone 3gs
pm: Brand new pretty phone, fell off kitchen counter and shattered glass. Yes.
April 23 - Drove to Tulsa, sick as a dog, and spent an obscene amount of cash to replace glass and purchase
the famed "otter box". Stupid salesman said it would be water proof. lair.
May 05 - Blayne decided to see if the phone, that was inside the waterproof otter box, could float.
iPhone - 0 Dr. Pepper - 1
Seriously- when does a girl get a break.
Lucky for me- we found the old phone.
Blayne is definitely his FATHERS CHILD.
Frustrated
I really want to use this blog to spew out a million different thoughts and frustrations. However, that wouldn't only be very inappropriate but I would regret it later, I am sure. I understand that everyone goes through tough times, frustrating times, aggrivating times.... but today I just want to go outside and SCREAM. Actually, I don't even have the energy to scream.
Anyone have the winning lottery numbers in the back of your mind? What about a fee million you could just gift me? HA. I know....
Maybe tomorrow I will feel better and post something sweet and kind about my kids.
Anyone have the winning lottery numbers in the back of your mind? What about a fee million you could just gift me? HA. I know....
Maybe tomorrow I will feel better and post something sweet and kind about my kids.
part 2
I love you, too!
When Blayne was about six weeks old, Kevin came out of the bedroom holding him tightly and said, " I can't wait until he can say 'I love you, too" I can remember that moment like it was yesterday, etched so deeply in my mind, because for one of the few times in our lives, I knew exactly what he meant.
Growing up, I heard the "i love you's" but never fully understood the impact of hearing it until my son began to say it. It is much sweeter than I could have ever imagined, you see, Blayne has his very own, special way of saying he loves you.
I ba-lleeeww
It really sounds like, I blew.. but more of a ba-lew.
It truly is the best sound in the entire universe. I will hate it when he decides he is much too grown up to speak two year old.
Growing up, I heard the "i love you's" but never fully understood the impact of hearing it until my son began to say it. It is much sweeter than I could have ever imagined, you see, Blayne has his very own, special way of saying he loves you.
I ba-lleeeww
It really sounds like, I blew.. but more of a ba-lew.
It truly is the best sound in the entire universe. I will hate it when he decides he is much too grown up to speak two year old.
Scrapbooking??
I started my first scrapbook in 1997. I can remember sitting in my bedroom at grandma's with my pinking shears, glue, and colored pencils. I grabbed my grandmother's cookie cutters (for templates) and bought some markers, even went for some glitter as the months progressed. I cut out everything from newspaper articles to sporting event programs. I kept ticket stubs, notes from friends (which is a long lost art I believe now that texting and cells phones have entered the picture) even napkins from restaurants. Everything inside this scrapbook has special meaning to me for one reason or another.
This scrapbook lives in my hope chest that hosts our 900 pound television along with other "meaningful" items. You know- everything that means so much to me...but only gets looked at once every two years or so.
My next scrapbook was for my dear friend, Brandy Gaskins- Hallman. She was getting ready to marry Ben, and I wanted something very special for her wedding gift. So I spent hours, days, weeks, months on this project. It was before you could walk into a store and buy supplies. This scrapbook was made with construction paper and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. I spent a lot of time obtaining pictures from both the Hallman and Gaskins families. I would copy the pictues then return the originals.
Finally the book was complete. I presented it to them at their rehersal dinner and it was a big hit! I was very proud of all the work I put in. This little scrapbooking project turned Brandy and her sister-in-law (my cousin) Ashley onto the craft and they havent looked back. They do amazing work.
A couple of years after presenting that book to Brandy, I was at her house and found the original book was dismantled. I was so hurt. All of that hard work, gone. It took a long time to get over that... but I did.
During the next eight years, I spent an obscene amount of money that, frankly we did not have to spend on scrapbooking gadgets, stickers, paper, pens, embellishments, etc. My subject matter wasnt extensive. It included our dogs, old pictures, etc. Imagine my excitement when Jaci was born- I finally had someone to scrapbook about!
Fast forward to 2008 and the birth of my son. Finally, I could put my skills to work. Funny thing though, I have made about six pages in two years. I always used the excuse of time. "i just don't have time, i work 65 hours a week" Now, I reliaze my opinion of the craft is just... changing.
Remember that first scrapbook? The one in the bottom of the hope chest? I am the only one who cares anything about that. When I am gone, it will be pitched. There aren't any journaling or descriptions.. nothing.
Secondly- just like the scrapbook gift to Brandy. Styles and trends will change. I can imagine giving my books to my kids in 20 years and them looking at them like... "mom, what the heck? This is sooo- 20 years ago. I am embarressed to show anyone these!!"
Lastly, I have thought about a fire. What are the most important things to me? Apart from my family which is a no brainer, my most prized posessions is my external hard drive. Such an easy thing to grab and run with. I would not be able to grab those books, right?
Anyway. I know I will have the tug of scrapbooking in the future... and I plan to do some, digitally for the most part. But more than that, I plan to just be a better blogger. Use this as my new avenue to post pictures and the stories that go with. That way, I can print the posts and compile them in a book someday... That might be a better option.
So- now...what to do with the thousands of dollars of supplies I have on my shelves...gathering dust?
This scrapbook lives in my hope chest that hosts our 900 pound television along with other "meaningful" items. You know- everything that means so much to me...but only gets looked at once every two years or so.
My next scrapbook was for my dear friend, Brandy Gaskins- Hallman. She was getting ready to marry Ben, and I wanted something very special for her wedding gift. So I spent hours, days, weeks, months on this project. It was before you could walk into a store and buy supplies. This scrapbook was made with construction paper and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. I spent a lot of time obtaining pictures from both the Hallman and Gaskins families. I would copy the pictues then return the originals.
Finally the book was complete. I presented it to them at their rehersal dinner and it was a big hit! I was very proud of all the work I put in. This little scrapbooking project turned Brandy and her sister-in-law (my cousin) Ashley onto the craft and they havent looked back. They do amazing work.
A couple of years after presenting that book to Brandy, I was at her house and found the original book was dismantled. I was so hurt. All of that hard work, gone. It took a long time to get over that... but I did.
During the next eight years, I spent an obscene amount of money that, frankly we did not have to spend on scrapbooking gadgets, stickers, paper, pens, embellishments, etc. My subject matter wasnt extensive. It included our dogs, old pictures, etc. Imagine my excitement when Jaci was born- I finally had someone to scrapbook about!
Fast forward to 2008 and the birth of my son. Finally, I could put my skills to work. Funny thing though, I have made about six pages in two years. I always used the excuse of time. "i just don't have time, i work 65 hours a week" Now, I reliaze my opinion of the craft is just... changing.
Remember that first scrapbook? The one in the bottom of the hope chest? I am the only one who cares anything about that. When I am gone, it will be pitched. There aren't any journaling or descriptions.. nothing.
Secondly- just like the scrapbook gift to Brandy. Styles and trends will change. I can imagine giving my books to my kids in 20 years and them looking at them like... "mom, what the heck? This is sooo- 20 years ago. I am embarressed to show anyone these!!"
Lastly, I have thought about a fire. What are the most important things to me? Apart from my family which is a no brainer, my most prized posessions is my external hard drive. Such an easy thing to grab and run with. I would not be able to grab those books, right?
Anyway. I know I will have the tug of scrapbooking in the future... and I plan to do some, digitally for the most part. But more than that, I plan to just be a better blogger. Use this as my new avenue to post pictures and the stories that go with. That way, I can print the posts and compile them in a book someday... That might be a better option.
So- now...what to do with the thousands of dollars of supplies I have on my shelves...gathering dust?
The Taylor Tots take a bath.
Bath Time is probably the most enjoyable time all day for my kids. You can say, "Bath!!" and Blayne will drop whatever is in his dirty little boy hands, and come running full speed. He starts to pull on his shirt, yelling... "baaaaaaff" it's the cutest thing... well ever.
He has always loved to take a bath. He began splashing in the sink at just six months. It is the one thing that will actually calm the beast... the best way to stop a lengthy, I am exhausted, cry.
Emileigh is just beginning to enjoy the bath as much as her brother. Actually, if Blayne would sit long enough to color in front of her, she would laugh the entire time. She just loves to watch him do anything.
Lucky for me, I have the coolest kitchen known to man. Well, in my opinion that is. It is made just for a mom with a two year old and a six month old. You see, my sink is awesome! I can actually give both kids a bath at the same time without killing my back hanging over the bathtub, and worrying about one of them taking a dive in the tub. The right side of the sink is very deep and large, Blayne can almost swim in it. The left side is much smaller and just the right size for a little princess.
The following is a typical night at the Taylor Inn. I hope you enjoy!
Just so everyone knows. I really do love my sister and give her lots of kisses.
He has always loved to take a bath. He began splashing in the sink at just six months. It is the one thing that will actually calm the beast... the best way to stop a lengthy, I am exhausted, cry.
Emileigh is just beginning to enjoy the bath as much as her brother. Actually, if Blayne would sit long enough to color in front of her, she would laugh the entire time. She just loves to watch him do anything.
Lucky for me, I have the coolest kitchen known to man. Well, in my opinion that is. It is made just for a mom with a two year old and a six month old. You see, my sink is awesome! I can actually give both kids a bath at the same time without killing my back hanging over the bathtub, and worrying about one of them taking a dive in the tub. The right side of the sink is very deep and large, Blayne can almost swim in it. The left side is much smaller and just the right size for a little princess.
The following is a typical night at the Taylor Inn. I hope you enjoy!
Mom: "Blayne, let's take a Bath!!!"
Blayne: "Baaaaaaaaaafffff" "on sissy... baaf"
Hey, what are YOU doing here??!! I'm bout to take a bath. I have already gathered 57 toys and threw them in the sink while my mom ran the water. I almost choked myself taking my shirt off... but as you can see. I made it!
Just what do you think you are doing with that camera lady?!!
What!!?? I can play with my sister??!!! Mom, you are the best in the entire universe!
Blayne: I love taking a bath.... Just wait until you see what I have in mind for tonight....
Emileigh: Oh, is that the counter... Preeeeeeeety
Just so everyone knows. I really do love my sister and give her lots of kisses.
Tonight though, I figure I had better give the kisses first.
No one wants an upset baby ruining a perfectly good bath. Muuuah
Okay, Okay, Okay
We will play your stupid games. I'll pretend you are a baby and you drink this bottle.
HEY- I SAID DRINK!
Here, since you were such a good girl, I'll wash your hair.
Reeeeeaaaaddddddyyyyy
Gotta scrub it now, momma says we gotta wash our hair.
See, I kinda already did mine.
What? I don't have any hair on the top, it's all on the back?!!
Don't worry, Mom will get it!
Stop making fun of my hair!
Ta Da!
Poof- you have clean hair.
Aren't we soooo cute?
Ha.
You mean I really have to get out of the bathtub?
Because I would live in here if you would let me.
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