Who? ME?

Does no one have to take responsibility for his actions anymore? Let me tell you about my day. My students had a project due today that they've known about for 6 weeks called an Alphabetical Autobiography: an assignment all about them! Because they had so long to complete this project and had class time, I counted it worth 2 test grades. Yes, 2. Oh, but wait, that's right...less than half of each class turned it in! What are you thinking?! I have talked about this assignment every day, had it posted on the board, and reprinted the instructions twice. But no, I've apparently not made sure every student knew about the project. I even had one student tell me that he just found out about it yesterday. Umm, hello?! I pointed to the board and told him it had been up there for weeks. He politely responded that he doesn't read the board. Well, duh! Another female student told me that since she didn't get the assignment until a week after everyone else, she should get another week to complete it. NOT! She missed it because of her own absences! It's her responsibility to get her assignments. The whole day just irked me. And when parents check their child's grades, I'm going to get nasty emails and phone calls. BRING IT ON!! Have you ever encountered a tired, 7 month pregnant woman? Conflict doesn't seem to bother me so much anymore right now. I would love to explain to parents that their child has known about this project for 6 weeks, had class time, and still chosen not to do it. I gave time every day last week for students to work on their ABC Autobio. Most decided to waste that opportunity, claiming they would complete it over the break. Didn't happen. Not my problem. I'm doing my job. Do yours, child! Ugh.

The reason I asked if no one has to take responsibility is because I started thinking about this whole issue on a grander scale. For example, octo-mom. I don't want to go into too many details on this because I'm sure we all have our opinion, but you can guess what I'm thinking. 14 kids. Really? Single mom. Really? Providing and paying for them? Not going to happen by her. Anyways.

No clean is ever clean!

Guys just don't get this. Especially my husband. We have two completely different ideas of clean. And that's okay, but he doesn't understand how I can just "see" the dirt or something else that needs to be done. We are out of school for 3 days for Mardi Gras break, so I was determined to clean my filthy house during this vacation. I started yesterday, then went to lunch and a movie with my mom. My 3rd trimester is slowing things waaaaayyyy down (and yes, I know that will only get worse). Plus, I just keep finding other areas to clean or organize. I thus far have gotten to just about everything I wanted to do except for wiping/bleaching the windowsills and door frames, cleaning the doors (some of them just have a light coating of dust on the inset squares and I hate dust!), Magic Erasering the lightswitch plates, and Windexing all the windows. David is going to hate me in April when I have him cleaning this or redoing that, and we're just talkinga bout the inside! Oh well. Bring on the nesting!

Frogs

I despise frogs; hate them; loathe them. But as the new blog background states, "Frogs are made for a little boy's pocket." This is what I'm afraid of. Teaching is helping me become a good actress; this will come in handy in a few months!

Piece by Piece

We are slowly accumulating items for Hayden. This is due in large part to Craigslist! Friday night we bought a bassinet, breast pump, and car seat. These were all completely unused (except for the car seat, but it looks brand new--not a crumb or spot anywhere). We need to get the stroller base for the car seat, but it isn't that expensive. Oh, and David got me a rocking chair a week or so ago. Our next big purchase/find needs to be a dresser. We know the one we want, but it's just really out of our price range, and it never goes on sale. It's a piece that goes with the crib we already have, but trust me, it's expensive. Nothing is put together yet, so definitely no nursery pictures. None of the details have really come together, but we do have about 3 showers coming up. We have plenty of clothing (and probably shoes and blankets), but it's everything else we need. More washcloths, bottles, pacifiers, stuff for the nursery (like keepsakes), the swing, bouncer (though I think my mother-in-law is getting this for us), and just all those other little details! I thank God for His provision and what we've been able to get thus far. Patience is not one of my virtues, especially while I'm so tired right now since I'm not sleeping. But come May 3 or so, it'll be SO worth it. I keep having dreams of holding and soothing and rocking Hayden and just enjoying our son.

Please keep praying that if the position at this other school is what God has for me, all will work out. The pay raise would be significant and a huge blessing. My application is in, but I haven't interviewed or anything yet. Life is about to get even busier as I prepare for maternity leave and get into 2 week dr. visit mode. Hope things are going fabulously for the rest of you!

School Daze

It's definitely time for Mardi Gras break. Today after a test, I put in a movie. We all needed a break. Suddenly a student came up to me and said, "Mrs. Ainsworth, I spilled some mints and need a broom. Do you have one?" I told him no and just to sweep them up with his hand. He got a funny look, walked away, and suddenly I heard, "Oh, crap!" By then all the other students started peering and checking out the situation. I became very, very curious at that point. I got up, went over to where he had been sitting, and realized my floor was covered with black specks. If you guessed he spilled chewing tobacco, you're right. I had him go get a broom and as he was sweeping, he was just crying rivers of tears. "It's my dad's. I didn't know it was in there. I'm going to be in so much trouble..." etc. According to school policy, I had to alert an administrator, and she came and got the young man. He was so upset. After he left, another student shared that this particular student's father was not such a kind man. Let's just say, I was told that this student had been given black eyes before. Get my drift? I've met the family, and I'm not sure how true these accusations are, but I had to report those, too. Talk about an uncomfortable position for me; I HAD to report this student, but I also don't want him to be beaten at home.

Then at lunch I ate much later than normal and stayed in the cafeteria. I got to witness some drama. As the final bell rang, I was finishing my lunch and heard our female administrator yelling at a student and noticed her stepping between 2 boys. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I had just finished a parent conference and the dad stayed to have lunch with his daughter. He teaches and coaches at another school in the district, so he also helped. One student called another young man a n***** and the other student was highly offended. I stayed where I was because as a pregnant female I was not going to be any help. The boys were finally split and taken off, the other students went to class, and I headed to my "hole" (my classroom). The students in my building have already lost break due to fights and trash and have been threatened with silent lunch. I'm assuming on Monday that we'll hear lunch is now a silent affair. Can't say that upsets me too much!

Open House

Parents honestly have no idea what is going on with their children. I'm convinced of it. Open House just affirmed it. These were a couple of my favorites from last night:

"Why isn't he turning in his homework?"
"Is he living up to his potential?"
"How can I get her to study?"

Okay, seriously, guys. My other favorite is when I'm talking to the parents on the phone or in person and they say, "I just don't know what to do with him/her. (Imagine fretting, wringing hands at this point.) He/she just won't do anything I tell him/her to, and I don't know how to discipline him/her." Well, let me get ahold of your child! Oh, that's right, you won't let me! I'd be happy to beat some sense into your child. Grow up, parents! Be PARENTS. Take away privileges, ground your child, spank him! It's really okay. (For the record, I'm not talking abuse, just good old-fashioned discipline.) When did the child become the one ruling the household? Hayden will never doubt our love for him, but he'll also know what the hand to his backside feels like. He won't dictate to us what will and won't happen (and if you're going to say, "Oh just wait til he gets here, blah, blah, blah, please don't. I'm saying that as nicely as I can. We are the adults, the parents, not our son.) Okay, so I feel somewhat better. Please don't be offended. I'm just so sick of parents getting upset with me over what THEY can control! Sigh. Better now.

Toychest

Okay, so I'm a dork. I love homemade gifts. Tonight, at the risk of pushy, I called my grandparents in south TX. My PawPaw can work wonders with wood. We have a corner unit in our living room that he made and stained. I love it! It means so much to me, and it's an item I will always treasure. I had been pondering a thought for awhile, so tonight I finally asked. (You're wondering if I'm every going to tell you what I asked, right?) :) Anyhoo...so I called and asked my Granny if she thought PawPaw would consider making a toychest for Hayden's nursery. The stain color he used on my unit matches the crib perfectly; it couldn't be any closer. She told me that he had just been mentioning how he needed to make more stuff for us, and she thought he'd be thrilled to do it. I am so stinking excited. It's going to fit right under Hayden's window; they'll bring it in June when they come. So I'll have to wait just a little for it, but I am so thankful to have a grandfather who would give such a gift to my son. Maybe that sounds cheesy, but it's something Hayden will always have from his great-PawPaw. Plus, no one else will have one like it!


On another handmade note, I am stealing an idea from a college friend of mine. Her nephew was recently born and she made a sign for his door. It's adorable! I've asked one of my Sunday School girls who loves to do crafty things to consider making something similar for the nursery as well (boy, I'm pushy, aren't I?!). I'm posting a picture of it. Yes, it says Keatan and yes, it has a train, so I'm asking my SS girl to adapt it for a sports nursery. Maybe things are finally starting to come together. I want to get a rocking chair (I don't care if it's used/beat up/etc.) that I can paint and make personal for the nursery. Now it's just finding an inexpensive chair (not that I've looked all that hard!). All the gliders and ottomans we've looked at are just too expensive. So I really just wanted to post about the toychest.




And on the last note, I'm almost done with my Saturday classes for my alternate route 5-year teaching license. Oh, and please be praying. I think I can safely say this here (and please don't share with anyone who might teach with me), but I've submitted my application to another school here on the Coast. It would be a huge leap financially for us and the hours and resources are better. I'm praying it's what God wants because if not, I'll be miserable. If it doesn't work out, I still have my current position. Some changes are coming (maybe good, maybe bad), so I want to be where I can be most beneficial and productive.


So much for just a post on a toychest!

Flat Orange Nehi

Yeah. So today I had my montly drs. appt. and I had to drink that lovely orange glucose drink. I was told it would taste just like a flat orange Nehi. Yum. Not so much. But everything with my bloodwork came back normal, and Hayden is growing like a weed! His heartbeat is strong at 146. And I only gained 3 pounds this month! This is amazing! Oh, and my belly grew 6 inches. I can't wait to meet our linebacker!

This last trimester is starting to hit a little hard; I'm exhausted. It just seems like there aren't enough hours in the day, and that's only going to get worse!