Substituting

I have embarked on a new journey. I have become a substitute teacher. Somedays when I am at the school, I feel like I may have missed my calling. Who know's? I'm praying about it to see what the next step in my life should be. I enjoy being with those kids soooo very much. It is awesome to see how they respond to the teachers. When noone else will help them or pay attention they can count on a teacher to be there.

It amazes me how they respond to me. I have taught all the grade levels a little and they are all so fun to watch. I have to admit my favorite class so far is special needs. Those kids are awesome. They are so intelligent, but just have a different way of showing it. They are so unique. Not that all kids aren't, but the special needs kids are even more unique. It is so cool to watch how they respond to everyday things. Hats off to the teachers that work with them everyday. They learn more than the kids do because they have to learn the different ways the kids react to know how to respond to the kids. They do a super job though.

I never knew that working with kids would be so rewarding. By that I mean the feeling you have when you realize that you have taught them something new that they will carry with them forever. And also that they will never forget you. I have so many kids that see me in the hallways, or even out in town running errands, that say that's Mrs. Murphy. I feel that just a few days with them will leave an impact that will last a lifetime.KIDS ARE AMAZING!!! Hug your kids and thank God for what they are and what they will become!

Christmas in the Park Banquet

I have attended the Christmas in the Park Banquet once before but never had the joy of participating by being a waitress. I had so much fun. I decided for my theme since it was election year and just 4 days after voting and just 3 days before VETERAN'S DAY, my theme for my table would be "America the Beautiful." I was Betsy Ross and my table was decorated in Stars and Stripes. My table was full, for a little while anyways, stupid Tech Game. Anyways, Rodney Black and his wife Kathy, My mom and Dad in Law, Jeanna Cantu, Jimmy and Kathy Carrol, and my hubby were my guests at the table. Thanks everyone for coming. I enjoyed seeing people I had not seen in a while and looking at all the creativity put into the banquet. I will probably do it again next year. It's fun to be a part of something that helps the park look so beautiful and make so many smile during the holiday season. I know it seems early but here goes. Happy Thanksgiving, just around the corner, and MERRY CHRISTMAS, not too far off either.
But for today Thanks to all VETERANS and SOLDIERS now fighting. Your sacrifices will forever be appreciated. HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!!

My Table!!

Betsy Ross

My Hubby

Jimmy and Kathy

Rodney and Cathy

Loved this table. John and D'Anna Oldham. Santa, Mrs. Clause, and the elves. How Cute!!!

Halloween '08

I always enjoy halloween because the kids get to dress up and go get candy and other goodies. Sean knows the routine. Dress up, hold out your bucket, get candy, say Thank You. Well Kali understood how to get the treats and say Thank You. She had a little problem with the costume. Mom and Dad picked her out the cutest little witch outfit. We put it on Kali on Wednesday for our Harvest Party. She DID NOT like it. She said it itched. So Friday I left her long sleeve shirt on and Nanny Linda even rolled up her sleeves. Let's just say she won the fight. She would not take off her jeans and tennis shoes. She would not put on her hat. When we took her picture she tried to take it off. She walked around holding up the skirt screaming at the top of her lungs. Somebody probably thought that we were killing her. She is so funny. Ok here are the pics. Enjoy!!!

Aunt Jo and Uncle Ray

Puppy (Skin and Bones)

Pirate (Deet), Travelocity Gnome (Mimi), Pregnant Lady (Tiff)

Alien and Ninja Turtle.

My Ninja Turtle (Sean) and Kali trying to take off her dress. She was Mad!!!

A few of his favorite things.

I was tagged by Amy so here goes a few of Terence's favorite things.

1. His Kids-I am amazed at how much a man can love something that is so small. There is nothing that he would not do for his kids.

2. Friends-For those of you that know my hubby, you know that once you are friends with him, he is loyal. It may take him a while to make friends but once you're in, you'll have to screw up big time for him not to keep you around.

3. He has recently taken up golfing. Not exactly my sport. I like to drive the golf carts but that's as far as my interest in it goes. Kudos to you T for having the patience for it.

4. His work. He may complain about it but he likes working at United. He's been there for 11 years and has made some of the best friends there.

5.His truck. It may be getting old, but that is still his truck. It took him 1 1/2 years and a wreck before I got to drive it.

6. His family--in laws and all. He is so loving to all of them.

7. Shooting pool with his buddies. Let's just say when we got married I made him move the pool table out of the dining room. Lol. He's good at it too.

8. Dallas Cowboy Football-His ringer is the NFL theme song during football season and he's from Texas...need I say more. 8. Me. He's kept me around for 3 years of dating, 5 years of marriage, 2 dogs, and 2 kids. I sure hope I'm one of his favorite things. I know he's one of mine.

So in tradition I don't really have any women to tag. So I tag Randy Wilson. (tell us about Becky)

New Kittens

Well this weekend my two kiddos stayed with my in-laws so that Terence and I could attend a surprise birthday party for one of our best friends. While they were there 2 kittens, whose eyes aren't even open yet, were discovered under Danny's boat. Their mother, poor thing, they found dead. So even though Stephanie does not like cats because she's allergic to them, she is nursing them with bottles and getting up and down with them. Sean is helping so much. His cat is gray with a white patch around it's nose and Kali's is Black with orange and white speckles on it's side. They are so cute. Sean stayed with Danny and Steph again last night so he could help take care of the babies.


Sean has had an amazing week. He is so resilient. Week ago we had the hair fiasco. Thursday night at the pep rally a hot ash from the lighting of the numbers hit him in the eye. Then on Friday, Mom called and said that his horse, Moses, had died. He told us that Moses was old and that he was sick and he's not sick any more. He was a little sad but saw the good side of it all. I had a harder time losing Moses I think. He was such a sweet horse. I think that I loved him that much because of how good he was to Sean. He never once tried to hurt Sean and always looked for him to come visit and feed him.


On a brighter note, the kittens are doing great and when I asked the kids what they named them their responses.....Sean "Just Kitty".....Kali"Cat" So we have two kittens and their names are Kitty and Cat. How cute is that. Well that's all for now.

IN MEMORY OF MOSES

They Know How to Get What They Want!!!

Friday was a crazy day for me. I was at the office working and as usual Sean asked if he could use the scissors and cut some paper into pieces. I have showed him how to use the scissors and he does a really great job. He is really careful not to cut his fingers. Again as usual I forgot one very important detail. Give him instructions on what not to cut. You guessed it!! He gave himself a haircut. Let me take you back two days. We were visiting with Jacob and Kristy and their boy Tyler needed a haircut. Tyler being just like his daddy wants it buzzed off. Sean, being the smaller of the two boys and loving Tyler as much as he does, wants his hair buzzed too. He wants to be like Tyler. I get that. It's great Tyler is a great role model. I tell Sean that he has to discuss the haircut with his dad before we let Jacob buzz it off. Back to Friday, I turn around to find a chunk of Sean's hair missing. There is hair all over the office floor. I am ready to die because I know what's coming. I calmly tell him that he can't cut his own hair with scissors and that now we have to go to see Miss Joy at the Barber Shop. He's excited. We get to Joy's hoping to be able to fix it because on Wednesday he has school pictures. Can't fix it. Have to buzz it all off. When Joy finishes I tell Sean that all his hair is gone. His response, you got it!! "Me told you me wanted a haircut like Tyler's" I cannot keep in the laugh anymore. He figured out how to get exactly what he wanted. Little stinker. Can't help but love him.

My Mother!!

It never ceases to amaze me how much I act like my mother. Last night at church the kids were rowdy while waiting for the vans to leave. My mom had Kali on her hip cause she's spoiled and Nama's girl. Sean was with me and the kids would not sit down. They had eaten treats in class and were all kinds of hyped up. In order to get over the voices of 40 kids you have to be loud. My mom had attempted to calm them down and it didn't work. Me, being little Carolyn, was definitely loud enough for everyone to hear me. I remember when I was little and mom would have to get louder than us just to give us instructions. The looks on the kids faces yesterday was the same look that I had when I was little. I guess we always say we won't be like our mothers but when it comes down to it we all turn out that way. No problems though. At least I know with me being like my parents, hopefully my kids will follow in the footsteps of us and grow up like my brothers and I. We have tough times and rocky roads, but all in all we turned out OK! At least I think we did. Thanks Mom and Dad for instilling in me the wisdom and strength to raise my children the way we were raised.



On a lighter note, here's the picture of Sean giving Mom and Dad the keys to their new building. They are putting in a restaurant. The building needs lots of remodeling but it will be great. Sean helped Danny clean it out and showed Daddy around so it's "Sean's first Sale." He's what keeps me going. Everyday he asks me if I am gonna sell any houses.

Goodness How Fast They Grow Up

It's amazing how fast kids grow. Today when I dropped Sean off at school he told me that he didn't need me to walk him in. He said he was big enough to do it by himself. Broke my heart. He's growing into such a good boy. Before school started he relied on me for everything. And thanks to Ms. Carol, love her to pieces, Sean has gained independence and self-will. I am so grateful for this no matter how much it hurts for him to let go. I love him dearly. And Kali wants to grow up, but she's still too young for school. Bless her heart she cries everytime I take Sean to Ms. Carol's because she can't stay. If only she would stay a baby a little longer. Wishful thinking huh? I just pray that we will keep a close relationship like we do now. God Bless!!

What a weekend!!!

Terence and I Before Game
Cowboy Mascot

Tony Romo
Texas Stadium

This weekend was a blast. It's amazing how much fun you can have at a football game when it's in Texas Stadium. My husband and I, along with a couple friends went to Dallas Saturday and Sunday for the Dallas vs Washington game. It was amazing!! It was my first trip to the stadium or to an NFL game. I loved it and definately want to go back!! However, today I am so exhausted I can hardly hold myself up. It was great to be able to see the stadium before they tore it down or whatever they plan on doing to it. I was glad to get home though. I missed my two rugrats lots and lots. They are definately the great loves of my life. I can't believe that God blessed me with two wonderful children to love and raise. Hopefully the values that my parents instilled in me with carry through to them. We are trying our best and with God's grace my kids will be great!!