36 & 60

So, my birthday happened yet again.

My dad's bday and mine are only a few days apart.  Mom mentioned a couple weeks ago that we should throw a dad a small surprise party (with just our family.)  She set me out to organize it.

We all did a great a job keeping it quiet... that is until mom spilled the beans, quite by accident, two days before the get together. If you know my mother, then you know this is typical.  She is not known for her secret-keeping ability!

My dad and almost birthday buddy!  This ice cream cake was to die for!

Queenie, Eva, and Nolan

Diggin' in

Regardless, it was great having the family together for a few hours this Saturday celebrating Mantis (and my) birthday.

The whole crew... Zach and Anna are behind mom and Nolan was outside with the dogs.  So glad GrandmaDean was able to come too!!!!  

As for my actual birthday.  I took the day off work and I did the most glorious thing.  I pretended I was a stay at home mom again.  I did 6 loads of laundry (including changing all sheets), I picked Bennett up from pre-school at 11:30, I went to Wal - Mart.  Mom dropped by with coffee and I read part of a book and just piddled around my house.  It was the absolute best birthday present I could have given myself.

Speaking of presents, my husband is perhaps the worst gift giver ever.  We have just come to joke about it.  He is really bad.  I let him off the hook this year since I went and bought myself a car (AKA taking out a loan---- he havent had a car loan since 2006!--- so this hurts).

My birthday present for the next 4 years!

My sweet boys tried to do sweet things though their father did not take them shopping for me.  Hunter brought me home my favorite dum dum's... butterscotch.
Bennett gave me his St Patty's day necklace and a card with him and me (far right)
Ashton (3 days late) gave me his Reeces pieces he earned at Good News Club (but he also told me he doesnt really like them)
Shepherd made me some very creative pictures - complete with rubber band people sword fighting with push pins. He also made the giraffe picture.
Chad gave me car washing stuff (that I requested).

A picture is truly worth a 1000 words.

My birthday loot

Most importantly, I was loved on and hugged by my sweet fellas.

A Year Already

I sit here reflecting back on the last year.  Today marks 1 year of being a working mom.  (this was drafted on Feb 13)

Here are some things that I have noted.
1- I have such an amazing network.
   My in-laws (Hub and Aunt Joan in particular) and my parents have gone out of their way to make me feel good about going to work.  My dad watch Bennett all 2nd semester last school year.  My mom took the boys to school every day last school year.  Hub and Aunt Joan take turns picking up the younger 3 boys this school year and let them hang out until I can get them.

2- I really like my job.
   Last February I talked a little bit about taking this job.  I was pretty unsure as to what my job would entail.   365 days later, I can give you many more details.
   I have 3 schools- 1 high school and the 2 feeder middle schools. I do career lessons with 6th- 12th students to help prepare them for work and to help them figure out what they want to do.  We do inventories and take field trips.  I also work very closely with our Career Center and Tri- County Technical College.  The CDFs are responsible for IGPs (Individual Graduation Plans), STEM Premier, Job Shadowing, WBL (work based learning) as well as doing one on one career counseling.
   I have had the opportunity to take many fun field trips with the students.  From visiting Charleston and the Ports Authority twice to touring FN (manufacturing machine guns for the military) to touring many other local businesses, I am becoming well-versed in the upstate industry.  I have attended conferences and plan to go to Kentucky next school and maybe even Florida.

Pictures from Charleston trip.  This was a trip to the Ports Authority, military base, and the Citadel (and maybe the beach :)

Toured Air Force Base

Inside the plane

Touring the Citadel

A shot from the ports authority dock in Charleston

Beach selfie

Pictures from trip to Columbia- FN Manufacturing

Crazy collection!

3 of the 4 CDFs in our district

  The surprising thing about my job is how much I work with middle school students.  Middle school guidance departments are severely understaffed so I was put right to work to fill in the career gaps.

3- My work people
   I love all 3 guidance departments that I work with.  They are all different but I have enjoyed them.  The high school department is amazing and they have made me feel right at home with them.

Went to a counselor conference in Myrtle Beach last month.  We stayed on the 27th floor, ocean front.  Next school year, I already have 3 conferences scheduled.  I hate leaving my kids but as I mentioned above, my network of people makes it easier for me

So, there is the work summary.  This job is funded for 2 more years after this year.  After that, I dont know... it could be funded again or I might be looking for something else.  For now, I will try to enjoy the set up that I have.  :)

Mosie is 4

My sweet sweet sweet hound boy is 4- the Valentine's Day birthday

Love him

This dog is seriously my best buddy.  He loves me fiercely and has made it his life goal to defend against hugs from Chad... which I think it is perfect!

He LUV me!

If he sees me walking around inside and he is outside, he jumps up to watch me.

He has a good year.  He loves his house and yard.  I trust him to walk without a leash (As long as I am outside with him).  He wants to please me above all else.

Photo session with Moses

He still loves to play fetch and has ruined countless pillows from bringing them outside. When we get home, he will run inside and bring us a "gift" from his toy basket (or a pillow).

Love this picture- Isla is the lickinest dog ever.
Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

Exhibit D- the dog loves to lick!

When I am not home, it is not uncommon for his to just stay outside and wait on me (even if other people are home.)  I fall asleep on the couch with him every night.

Isla (and Eddie) just happened to be at our house on Moses' and Isla's birthday--- mom and dad were at the beach.

So we celebrated.

The birthday buddies

I mean, dont Skye and and Marshall kind of look like Isla and Moses?!?!?  Makes me laugh.

 Happy Birthday puppies!!!

Basketball Season

Basketball season was another success.

Hunter decided he didnt want to play.  I didnt give Bennett the option because U6 basketball is perhaps the most painful thing to watch- EVER.

Ashton played U10 and Shepherd U8 for our church league.

Ashton was, well, amazing.  The kid can play.  For example, one game, his team won 44- 36.  He scored all 44 points.  He does have moments of holding on to the ball too long, however, he does also pass a good bit. 

Ashton getting some instruction from his coach. 

Ashton (in white) going after the ball.  

And he steals it

And, an easy lay-up

Not my actual kid, but love him... Connor drives to the lane

Shepherd and another player on his team were the top scorers, if one scored then normally the other one assisted and vice versa.  He towered over all these kids but he did a great job.

Shepherd reaches up for the ball

He saves it from going out

Soccer overlapped with the back end of basketball for A and S.  I love their soccer teams.  I help coach both teams and it is really a good bunch of kids.  Hunter is playing soccer this spring.  He has said over and over again how happy he is to be playing soccer again.  He hadnt played since fall 2016.  Bennett is also playing on his first organized sports team this spring.  He is on a little rec team.  His first game is this week.

So, we did not have even a week off but it is fun!