Hudson, The Rolling Stone: Chapter 2

As stated earlier, there is no need to make up anything about Hudson. No one is making fun of him, I am just clearly stating the facts as told to me by Ms. Sugar.

On to Chapter 2...

Hudson decides to yell out during the middle of class "My brother died last week and my mom died too from taking too many pills." Ms. Sugar was not going to put up with this kind of outburst again so she simply tries to talk to Hudson. Hudson, remember, is hard of hearing, so sometimes he responds to her, and sometimes he doesn't. She again decided to allow him to listen to his headphones for a little while, mainly because she was at a loss of what to do with him.

Then she decides, no, I'm going to get him to participate. While the other students are busy and in their groups, Ms. Sugar asks Hudson to become a part of one of the groups. She asks him this from the other side of the room...it's not a huge room, but she wasn't right next to him. She thought for a moment that he didn't hear her, but she could tell he was writing something. She waited for a moment and just before she started to walk over to him, he held up a sign he had made behind his head that read "NO WAY." hahaha...sorry, even storytellers have to laugh sometimes.

The class fortunately is a very forgiving class and they try their best to get Hudson to participate, but no luck.

Ms. Sugar puts on her PowerPoint about herself, and miraculously, Hudson rolls himself to the middle of the classroom, crosses his legs into his chair, and stays completely focused until the PowerPoint is over. When it's finished, one of the students and Ms. Sugar try to get him to join a group (for probably the 10th time) and so they attempt to roll him to a group circle. Hudson, using his quick reflexes, puts the brakes down on his wheelchair and crosses his arms and scowls at them.

(sigh) There is so much more. Until Chapter 3...

Happy Friday!

Well we did it! We made it through the first week of school! I love all my kids, I've learned a TON about them because I keep making them say things about themselves and present things about themselves, so I love it!

Baby Eli has found his new groove as well! At first I thought something was wrong because he wasn't moving around as much, but I think with all the walking and talking I put him to sleep! Now he's figured out my schedule and moves about freely any time he wants.

I saw a student I had 2 years ago when she was a Freshmen that I am pretty close to. She's pregnant and due in October with a little girl. It was strange (and sad of course) but kind of neat talking to her about pregnancy since we're pretty close to the same due date. There's no reason to make her feel any worse than the rest of the people, so I just want to share in the joy of this cool new life growing in her! Her situation isn't that great, as I'm sure you can imagine, so please keep her in your prayers.

Also! Wes is HOME!! WHOO HOO!! So, tonight's date night! And there's no school on Monday!

Hudson, The Rolling Stone: Chapter 1

The stories I'm about to tell you are true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent, but not one word of this is made up.

There is a student named Hudson. Hudson is in Ms. Sugar's class. Here are some things that you need to know about Hudson before the story begins:

When you first meet Hudson, you notice some obvious physical things. He's in a wheelchair, he's not very tall but he's a rounder fellow, he has spikey hair, he wears thick glasses, and he always has headphones around his neck that he usually puts in his ears as soon as class begins. Hudson is also allergic to latex. He says he is very hard of hearing and he loves puzzles. And so the stories begin...

Hudson rolls in to class and decides he's going to stop at the big table by the door instead of coming all the way in to class to join the groups. Ms. Sugar's first impression of him was when he decided to park there, put his headphones on his head, take out his word searches, and doesn't pay attention to anything Ms. Sugar is doing in class. That's not the best first impression to leave, but as teachers, you cut them some slack and press on.

As the rest of the class is working and joining in on the day's activities, Hudson decides he's going to write himself a letter. Ms. Sugar sees him doing this, but lets him continue. After awhile, Hudson raises his hand high into the air and yells out in almost a comical tone "Ms. Sugar! I'm going to read you a letter my friend wrote to me! Dear Hudson, I don't want to be your friend anymore! I don't want you coming to my house and bothering me anymore!" Now, Ms. Sugar isn't quite sure how to handle this, but it's the first day, so she doesn't let it become a big scene and Hudson goes about his word searches. Later on, she tries to get him to join the group. He starts scratching his arm over and over again and again yells as only he can, "If you make me join that group I'll kill myself and my friends will be really mad at you!" The period comes to a close and Hudson rolls himself out the door.

Now, of course the appropriate people have been contacted, and he may seem like some scary soul right now, but he's not scary, just different. Just wait until Chapter 2 to hear more about Hudson.

Hump Day

Happy Hump Day morning! hahaha... I literally cringe every time some one says that phrase. Yes, of course I know what they mean by that, but when a teacher is saying that in the hall (especially of a high school), I believe the exact phrase was "Good job guys! We've made it to Hump Day!", I just can't help but A: be embarrassed for the teacher, and B: be embarrassed myself when all the kids are laughing. The beautiful thing is that no one really cares, and it's more hilarious than most little phrases people use, but really, Hump Day?? haha...I just thought I'd give you some food for thought this morning. :)

The week has been going really well so far! I'm doing a lot better at learning names in class, now I just have to be able to say their name when they aren't in class. My little World History class starting showing some of their colors yesterday and I loved it! The first day is always weird and I never like it. It's just weird because it's a lot of information for them and a lot of fake personalities, so I prefer to just get that day over with! I'm still learning to watch the time. We now have 50 minute classes instead of 89, so it's a slight adjustment, but I think a beneficial one. I wish you guys could meet my kids though! A lot of them seem really fun and quirky (my favorite) and then some of them seem kind of dark and too cool for school (my other favorite), so I am loving this!

I'm home!

I would say that today was a success! I'm teaching one section of World History, one section of Student Council, and four sections of AP Psychology. I was able to get everything done before school (thankfully) and I didn't have any problems! It's so interesting to watch class dynamics. With six different classes it's kind of hard to get used to, but it's all very interesting. We changed to a 7 period day this year instead of an A/B block, so we see all of our students every day. It made the periods fly by but I also was going crazy saying the same things over and over and over again! I guess I better get used to that! I think it's going to be a great year, as long as I stay up with my planning! Here's some pics. They aren't that great since I was in a huge rush this morning, but you can see a couple of my classroom and one of me trying not to look frantic! :) Glad today is over!

Also, here's a quick shout out to a new blogger! Her name is Rachel and we became friends in college at Hardin-Simmons! She's absolutely precious and she's also pregnant, expecting a baby boy in October! Check her out! Love ya Rach!

Happy First Day of School!

Right now it's 5:38 am and I am eating some scrumptious blueberry whole grain eggos! Yum! I still have some things to do before school starts (haha...today!) so be thinking of me today. I'm taking my camera so I can have pics of my room to post. Have a great day!

Life Unscripted

Today was our last day of inservice. Tomorrow we get the whole day to work in our rooms and that is fantastic! I'll try to take my camera up there to take some pictures, but I have a feeling Wes will steal it and take it this weekend. And then, kids come on Monday!! yikes! haha...

I just wanted to tug at your heart for a moment and talk about my friend Jamie. Jamie is an acquaintance of mine from my good ole Hardin-Simmon days. She is my age, she was my RA when I lived in Ferguson, and she is one of the most beautiful people you will ever meet inside and out. (She braved coming up the stairs to my floor one night to check on us because some of the girls on our hall were having a huge screaming fight...haha...) Anyways, I don't know Jamie as well as I want to, but I do know that she's precious. Not to long ago, on August 10, Jamie was diagnosed with breast cancer.

It seems most women have a special place in their heart for those with breast or ovarian cancer, even though men can also get breast cancer. Not to ever downplay any other type of cancer, it just seems like that's true. I particularly have a special place in mine just because my aunt died of breast cancer during her 30s when her boys were very very little. Her situation basically was a doctor made a fatal mistake by not catching it when she went in the first time, fortunately, that's not Jamie's case. Please take time to check out Jamie's new blog at least once, and then please pray for whatever she asks you to pray for. Jamie loves Jesus and is a fighter, but anything we can do to help this process, I pray we do.

And while you're on your knees, please pray for Jeff Johnson's dad. Tomorrow he has triple bypass surgery. Everyone knows that's a huge deal as well.

Thank you sweet friends! Much love to you all!

My new love

I'm home for my lunch break and I just had to get this out to the "world." I just cut up and ate a Pink Lady Apple and I have never had anything so good before in my life!! Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I honestly have never had an apple that delicious before! Where have these pink ladies been?? Why do we just get the same old green or red apples when we were little? Why have my taste buds been so deprived? Well, I will no longer live in the norm. I will continue to eat these pink lady apples and love every bite! Enjoy!

I may not win Wife of the Year

Today was such a great day! Inservice was fine. Nothing too spectacular to mention there. But when I got home, some wonderful things happened!

Wonderful thing #1: Wes was home!! Yay! Did I mention how much I adore when he is home?? So, I was very happy! He leaves tomorrow, comes home tomorrow night, leaves Friday, and comes home Sunday. So I love today!

Wonderful thing #2: I talked to my dearest Rachel. Rachel lives in Abilene and recently found out that she is pregnant. She woke up yesterday and noticed she was bleeding (very scary). She called the doctor and they had her come in today for some blood work. All of her blood work was normal, so they decided to go ahead and do a sonogram (lucky!). So, they did that, she was able to see her 3 millimeter in length 6 week old baby that is doing just fine! Everything looks wonderful and in 2 weeks she still gets to go back and have her regular 8 week doctor date and sonogram! Thank you Jesus!

Wonderful thing #3: I got my grades in the mail from my graduate classes! And guess what? I made A's in both classes! Whoo hoo!! I took a moment to capture my excitement.

So, I am now a full 9 hours into my counseling program and have managed to keep A's in all classes. (smile) I am so proud!

Why I may not win Wife of the Year: Wes is cooking himself dinner. haha... Now, I do not regularly cook like a home cooked meal. But I usually do make him whatever I'm eating! hahaha.. anyways, today he is making himself some home made soup. I love that he's doing that but for some reason it sort of makes me feel kind of bad! I don't feel bad when he cleans the house, does the dishes, and washes his clothes...haha...but I do kind of feel bad when he's cooking his own meal. He knows I feel bad about it so he purposefully makes sad faces when he's cooking...haha... how rude :)

Cankles

It's official. I have entered a new stage in life.

Today was our first real day of inservice back at school. I spent all day walking from room to room as if I were a student to go through the plans for the day. I didn't even stand the majority of the time, but I did do a lot more walking around than my normal lazy summer days.

I came home. I sat down in my big comfy chair, put my feet up and saw this:

Now, unfortunately, I don't have a "before" picture of what my ankles/calves/feet look like, but it doesn't look like THIS! Yes, my toes are always that freakishly long, but my feet, as you might be able to tell a bit from the bony toes, are usually really bony and narrow. I can usually see my ankle, which is obviously not apparent in the picture. And I can usually see where my leg stops and my foot begins. So not the case today.

I almost panicked. I don't know why. I just have never seen my legs this way before! I immediately rush to my ever faithful babycenter.com and read all the articles on feet swelling and see that it is normal...however, a lot of times it happens in the 3rd trimester (which of course I am not in). But, I talked to some friends, and was assured that it was definitely ok and the heat, the walking, the everything contributed to this process.

So, now I suppose I just have to get used to this being a possibility of happening frequently. I really don't know why it freaked me out so much. It's just seeing your body one way in the morning and one way in the evening...it's just...WEIRD! (sigh) but there you go.

I'll leave you with a quote from whattoexpect.com:

And also try to look on the bright side: First of all, pretty soon your belly will be so big, you won't even be able to see how swollen your feet are. Second, edema is a temporary condition — you'll deflate completely soon after you give birth.

21 Weeks! (yesterday)

Here's the new pic! Please excuse the J-Lo. She's growing as much as the baby! (we'll just call it a bad angle) hahaha... Eli is doing great! He's still moving around a lot and letting me know he's there! I just love him so much! I can't wait to see him! (haha...but still not when he's all goopy!)

21 Weeks

20 Weeks

I'm baaaacckkkk!

Sorry for the long stretch of zero blogs! To keep everything short and sweet, here's the rundown:

Tuesday: Internet went down (along with the TV and phone)- I worked in my room up at school and cleaned house

Wednesday: Internet still down- from 6:30-4:00 I was up at school doing new teacher induction for the new hires (who are fabulous by the way!). from 5:00-2:00 am I was up at The Village Church for Jeff Johnson's CD release party! It was really good and I think everyone enjoyed it, and obviously we didn't get home until late!

Thursday: Verizon guy comes around 12:00 to fix everything! He was really nice and he fixed everything in like 20 minutes! YAY! Decided to just hang out with Wes all day...loved it!

Friday: Slept in a little, got ready, from 12:00-4:00 I was helping with registration at Wylie High School, 4:30-9:00 we went to see April and Carol (Wes' sister and mom) and had Chinese take out which was delicious! LOVE YOU GIRLS! And then we went up to the hospital.

Jeff Johnson's father was having chest pains and it looks like he'll be having bypass surgery very soon. Please keep that sweet family in your prayers. Yesterday was his 60th birthday and he spent the whole day in the hospital, but with very compassionate and qualified doctors. We stayed up there with them for awhile, and we're waiting to see when the surgery will be. When things like that happen so unexpectedly, it really helps keep life in perspective. We are all just so thankful to our merciful God that they went to the hospital here where his family could be with them. Please pray for Larry.

It's a BOY!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! To all of those who doubted my "intuition"....hahaha...just kidding! I had no intuition, just a 50/50 chance! But, it's a boy!!

Oh my gosh, he is SO CUTE!!

Ok, let's start from the beginning. So we go in to the office and I am just beyond excited, of course. She puts all that goop on me and it was really really warm! As she's doing this, she asking if we want to know the sex, and of course we do. Then she prepares us by saying that sometimes they can't see. Today she was able to tell every couple except one. Their baby was curled up all asleep and would not move around for them at all! Well, considering my baby is bouncing all around pretty much all the time, I knew that wouldn't be a problem.

So, she puts that magic sono wand on me and this is the very first thing we see:

Isn't it so cute?! He's looking right at us!! So, after he gives us a couple of waves and proves that he's super squirmy, she said, "well, let's take a look and see if the baby will let us take a peek!" She moves the wand around and the baby gives us a show:

There is no mistaking it! It's a boy!!! After he flashed us a few times, it was time for him to prove his acrobatic skills. She was doing her best to take all of his leg, head, stomach, and arm measurements and he was doing his best to keep her on her toes! haha... oh my gosh, he is so cute! But, being the master sonographer she is, she was able to measure everything and he's perfect! We were able to see a very healthy placenta, amniotic fluid level, and umbilical cord. What more could you possibly ask for?

We loved loved LOVED every minute in there seeing him! He is just so amazing! And it was really cool to actually SEE all the things that I've been feeling! And even right now, as I'm typing this, he's letting me know that he is very much in there and very active. :)

So thank you to everybody for your prayers, encouraging words, and excitement! It has made, and I know will continue to make this whole process so much more meaningful! I love you guys!

Oh, and by the way, his name is Eli Cole Martin!

Ok, today's the day!

Well, the car has gas in it, the laundry is being washed, the dishes are in the dishwasher, and I'm ready to go!

Now I only have to wait 5 and half more hours! (sigh) why oh why could I not sleep in?? Just a little bit longer?? Wes is in there snoozing away, and I've already eaten breakfast...twice!

Last night after working on an "easy" crossword puzzle, (I hate it when they call it that, it just makes me feel dumb for not being able to complete it!) I just was laying there, praying and asking God for this little baby to be so healthy and so perfect... I am just so excited to be able to see this baby again! I mean, I haven't seen it since it was 8 weeks old and looked like a little bean! (or a baby elephant as many people said...haha...thanks for that) So just to be able to see what this little person looks like is going to be so fantastic, and then to find out if it's a boy or girl! Wow... what a wonderfully heavy day!

I'll be sure to let you know!

Ok, only 5 hours and 25 minutes to go! :)

20 Weeks!

Well, here is the new pic, as promised! I didn't think I was that much bigger, but looking back at my 18 weeks pic you can tell my bellybutton is fighting to stay an innie! haha...

18 Weeks




20 Weeks

Don't forget! I get to find out on MONDAY what I'm having! YAY!!

Sneaky, sneaky!

Here we are!

We just got home from the doctor's office! It was so fun for several reasons! First of all, Wes was able to hear the baby's heart beat for the first time! It was so cute! as usual... and then in addition to the heart beat all you hear was this craziness happening in womb. That craziness just happened to be our sweet little baby sloshing around in amniotic fluid! Sounds sick, I know, but this little guy moves around all the time (as I'm sure most babies do) and I feel him a lot! The doctor just laughed and said how a baby acts in the womb is how they act out of the womb (smile). Very funny doc. So, as far I know, I have a little spaz on my hands! haha...either way, I loved it! It was so fun!

Now to the sneaky, sneaky part. As I've mentioned, about 8 million times probably, I had my sonogram scheduled for next Thursday, August 16. Well, when we were paying today I said to the nicest receptionist ever, "Hi, um, do you have any sonogram appointment times open on MONDAY?!" My heart is racing and I'm praying that they do!! She opens up the book, there is an open spot for 1:30 and I said "I'll take it!!" So I changed my appointment to 4 days from now!!! Ok...so it wasn't that sneaky...BUT it is still very very exciting to me! I hope I wasn't supposed to be learning some sort of patience lesson by originally scheduling it for Thursday, but I'll just take it as a sign since there was an opening that I wasn't!

Alrighty! Monday, August 13 at 1:30 I'll be finding out if it is a BOY or GIRL!!

To keep with the spirit of things, I decided to take these tests to see how accurate they really are. :)

Test #1 Chinese Gender Chart says that I will be having a GIRL
Test #2 Old Wives Tale Gender Predictor says that I will be having a GIRL
Test #3 Childbirth.org Gender Quiz says that I will be having a GIRL
Test # 4 Chinese Time Zone Gender Predictor (which I think is the same as the first one) also says that I will be having a GIRL

Exercise...sweet, sweet exercise...

So this may come to surprise you...and me...but lately I've really been craving the gym! Have I gone yet? NO. Do I want to go? YES. Do I have any excuse not to go? NO.

The funny thing about exercise is that it's one of those things for me, that once I'm there I can do it. But getting me there is the hard part. I work out at 24 Hour Fitness and I love it there! They have tons of classes and the ones that I go to aren't in the prime spots for a lot of people so they usually are never ever crowded. I've been doing a pretty good job at walking Ebony a few times a week, but I miss the peer pressure of finishing a class at the gym. :) So, I'm going to get back in the swing of things and start going again.

I know all of the regulations for pregnancy, like watching your heart rate, not getting overheated, and drinking plenty of fluids, but I was wondering if anyone had any good fitness plans or workouts that you did when you were pregnant? Or maybe that you've heard of! I know swimming is good and I'll probably try to do more of that on the weekends during the school year, because the gym with the pool is a little further away than my regular one.

Anyways, feel free to share your thoughts and expertise! I go to the doctor for my check up tomorrow! Yay!

Becoming Jane

If you haven't seen that movie, GO SEE IT! I (being the avid movie lover that I am) completely loved this movie! And in honor of Jane, I watched Pride & Prejudice tonight with Wes, and it was so good...again! Did I mention that Wes is home all week and that I love that?!?!

Well today I went and moved stuff from my old room at school into my new room at school. I don't have my new room set up, but I feel such a load off by at least getting my things in there! Thanks to our sweet custodial staff, I personally didn't have to move the big stuff! I'll have to take some pictures when I get it all set up. Now, high school rooms by far are usually not as cool as elementary school rooms, but at least you can have a mental picture of where I'll be every day starting August 27. :)

Now that I know what the baby feels like when he's moving around, I feel it much more often! (and the fact that he's getting bigger...yes I'm saying "he" Mere, but no I don't know yet...) Wes has finally been able to feel him move around which he thought was SO cool! Nothing really new to report...except that I am still waiting ever so patiently until August 16 to find out what I'm having!!

And a final note: all of my dear sweet friends who don't have blogs, I think that you should make one! all of my dear sweet friends who have blogs but haven't updated them for over a year (ahem), I think that you should update them! Love you all!

Are you ready for this?!

I've been feeling the baby move!
Isn't that such a great feeling?! I wasn't sure for about a week, but I talked to my friend Sarah and now it's becoming more consistent, so I know that's what it is!! Not really consistent on when I feel it, but consistent on the type of feeling I get! I mean, I love this feeling! It's hard to think of an actual life living inside you, but now I have a sporadic reminder of it being there!

Hannah, one of my friend's that is a pediatric ICU nurse, and I were talking yesterday and she was like "wow, you're carrying low" and I was like, "I am? Well, then that makes me feel even more like I'm having a boy" and she said "maybe!" haha... so, I will continue to hold firm to my boy beliefs and all the rest of my friends still think it's a girl. And...haha...beliefs is way too strong of a word, it's more like a thought. I've met a couple of people that had these instinctual feelings of what they were having...that's not me.

Ok, back to before. I don't really feel the baby when I'm walking around, but right after I lay down, I can feel it! SO CUTE! Still kind of weird, but SO CUTE! :)

On Thursday I have a check up and then the next Thursday is the sonogram!!!

I've been tagged!!

My stunningly amazing friend Simri tagged me!
The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.

2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (**if you’re a non-blogger, you can email them!)

4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Alright folks, here's the facts!

1. My parents tried for several years to have kids and couldn't. They found out about Edna Gladney Adoption Center from some friends and decided to adopt a baby! They were put into a small group to go through the process with, and one of the couples was George W. and Laura Bush! But, our future President and his wife got pregnant with the twins and obviously dropped out of the program. But if they hadn't, I couldn't have been adopted by them! Crazy! However, I am very thankful that I ended up with my sweet family! Love you guys! (my parents did end up getting pregnant- Josh is 8 months younger than me, and Amy is 6 years younger...God has a plan!)

2. I used to be a telemarketer in Lubbock, TX. It is the worst job I have ever had and I prayed every day for someone to rescue me from that job! You have no idea how horrible people are to you on the phone (or maybe you do...). I worked there technically for 3 weeks. 2 weeks I went to work, and the third week I called in sick for "mental health days" (and that option literally was a choice) the entire 3rd week before I quit. If you don't want to talk to telemarketers, just hang up. Don't cuss them out, or try any of your "witty" lines on them...haha...they've heard them all!

3. For some reason I can't bend my fourth toe on my right foot.

4. I never learned to do a cartwheel because when I was little, somehow the reflex to put your hands down when you are falling was not given to me. I have multiple scars on my face from falling down and hitting face first. I would just pull my hands back when I was on my way down! My dad had practice falling sessions where he would push me down after showing me how to put my hands down first! so sad...

5. I am starting to become allergic to random things. I have never had food allergies until recently. Summer 2005 I became allergic to bananas. Summer 2006 I became allergic to tomatoes. who knows...

6. I love everything theatre! I've done plays for as long as I can remember, and I regretfully "quit" theatre in college for ridiculous reasons (a boy). I keep trying to remind myself to save up enough money for season tickets to Dallas Summer Musicals, but haven't done that yet!

7. I will never get over my life long crush on John Cusack. Everything about him makes me smile :)

8. I like a lot of TV shows, but the one I can never ever miss or I get all anxious is LOST. Please tell me you guys are watching this show! I accidentally stumbled upon the very first episode the night it premiered and have been hooked ever sense! And, I'm proud to say, I have recruited several Losties along the way so we can all talk about the show afterwards! join us!

Ok friends! It's your time to shine! Can't wait to hear from Cat, Christine, Jennifer, Liz, Meredith, Susan, Wes, and Kelli!