New Blog!!

Trying out something new.  Check out my new blog's site at, http://getmygoodside.wordpress.com/

Christmas at Grandma's

Christmas Eve

Christmas

Christmas-y kids

You've been waiting.....

All my faithful readers, you know all three of you, have been waiting anxiously for news on my latest venture.  Well, really my only venture in quite some time.  So what is it you ask?  Well.....
A while back I decided I'd like to return to the working world.  Actually I've been wanting to return to work since before I even left but I thought my time would be better served raising my adorable children.  Well, I know they're not quite raised yet but I can't wait any longer to start working again.  Seriously, I'm dying here.  I'm one of those people who actually enjoys working and feel like some of my identity comes from being something other than just "mom".  I realize most of my readers, again all three of you, are moms full-time.  There's nothing wrong with that, at all, but for me, I never intended on being a full-time mom.  I just sort of fell into it.  My plan was to work 40+ hours a week and leave my children in daycare while I climbed the corporate ladder.  Then I held my first child in my arms and all that climbing the ladder baloney fell out the window.  I was in awe and there was no way I was going to leave my angel in someone else's care...until now. 

What is it that I'm doing?  So much build up!

I'm the newest broker at Coldwell Banker!  That's right, I'm a real estate agent!!  I can't wait to get working!  This is no big deal, right?  Why did I keep this a secret for so long?  Well, honestly I was afraid I wouldn't pass the state/national tests.  I've heard of people taking them two or three times and I was scared that would be me and I didn't want anybody to know I'm a big failure.  Luckily I passed the tests on the first try!  I was so relieved you have no idea!  Today I signed up with Coldwell Banker and I will be going to my first meeting in just a couple of weeks, after the holidays.  Wish me luck on this new chapter of my life! 

A day of culture

Two of the kids had performances this past Tuesday.  I really love watching my kids do what they do.  Claire had her Christmas performance in the morning.  She goes to a Christian school so they're still able to use the word "God" and "Christmas" in the school.  Crazy, I know!  What's the world coming to?  In the evening we were given a bit of culture by the children from the orchestra at Connor's school.  Since the beginning of the school year Connor has been learning the violin at school during two of his recesses each week.  I love free violin lessons!! 

Sisters keeping each other entertained before the concert

Hometown Holidays

We went to the annual tree lighting ceremony.  It's always a lot of fun and makes great family memories.  In addition to watching the tree lighting there were crafts, Santa, hot chocolate, hay rides and more!  We are very lucky to have such fun things to do so close to us. 

Bus Bully

There's a bully on the kids' bus and it's not a child.  Nope, it's the bus driver!  Since the first day of school the children have been complaining about their bus driver.  Keep in mind this is not just my children complaining but every child I know that takes their bus has complaints.  We're not talking about the bus driver just being a little too strict either.  The complaints range from making the 5th graders sit up at the front of the bus (which is a big deal because these kids have waited six years to get to sit in the back of the bus) to the bus driver pushing the kids down into the seat she wants them to sit in, to the bus driver pressing on the brakes hard and causing the kids' heads to go into the seat in front of them and so much in between.  What has been done about this you ask?  Well, many parents have complained to the bus transportation department and to the school's principal to no avail.  The principal has been in talks with the transportation department but they're just not doing anything to rectify the situation.  On one particular situation the bus driver was apparently talked to by her superior because she told the children on the bus, "I know who told my boss on me".  Now the children fear their bus driver.  The big problem I see with this (other than the obvious) is what happens if an adult does something more severe to one of these children and they're too afraid to say something because of their experience with this bus driver?  I'm not sure what the next step is; a petition perhaps, or contact the newspaper?  Something must be done.