This morning, Elaine came over to watch Grady while I went with Mikey to help with a cabinet job.  You read that right... I was Mikey's help.  And I'm even the one who suggested it.  It was a small job, but he was going to need a little bit of help handling the cabinet and he had planned to pay one of the people he sometimes asks to help him.  So instead of paying someone, I said, "Why don't I just help you?"  (Then, thinking to myself, I BETTER not break a nail... or a sweat- that's strictly for times when you MEAN to sweat).  But despite my valid concerns, off we went around 8:30 to an 82 year old man's house to take down one cabinet and put up another.  (Seriously, when you're 82, why do you really care about your cabinets?)  But he was super nice and friendly and probably a little confused as to why I was there, seeing as how I mostly stood there and talked with him while Mikey did all the work. When we Mikey went to put the new cabinet up, he noticed a crack in it.  The man then told us that the delivery people did in fact drop the cabinet when they brought it in.  So, we had to call and order him a new cabinet and we couldn't even finish the job.  Bummer.  My first cabinet job was a bust.  So now the man has a big empty spot in his laundry room that will remain until the new cabinet arrives.  At which time I get to go with Mikey again to "help". 

This afternoon, we went and picked up some outdoor toys for Grady.  It's still pretty cold (even though it's almost MARCH!!!!  I thought we lived in Florida!), but Grady loves to go outside and it's kind of hard to keep him inside all the time.  Plus, in my new discipline book, it says that kids need three things daily- outdoor play, reading, and.... can't remember the third one.  But at least I have those two down.  In order to make sure that Grady is well-behaved, I'm following the rules.  So rain or shine, we're going out.  And we'll take a book or five with us.  One of Mikey's co-workers, Jessica, has been so generous with things her boys have outgrown.  She's practically stocked his closet from now until 24 months and today she gave us an outdoor slide, a toy lawn mower, and a basketball goal.  Some of the things she had to sneak out of the house when her boys weren't looking!  But, Grady is LOVING the new toys!  Thank you Jessica!!!!

Even Ellie wanted to ride!

We've been busy as usual lately, so I haven't had much time to post.  But in order to avoid folding laundry keep you all informed, I thought I'd post.

Mikey had a job interview on base on Tuesday, but not in the same building, instead he'd be working on the flight line.  He was very interested and excited about this job because of the potential to advance, the stablility, and a job he would enjoy.  The Commanding Officer of the base and two other people at work wrote really flattering letters of recommendation for him, praising all sorts of things like his work ethic, devotion to his family (all he talks about is Grady, I know!), and his efficiency at his job.  We really felt confident about this interview and afterwards, he had a good feeling.  Unfortunately, they called the next day and said it had come down to him and a woman who also interviewed but they offered it to her instead.  When the interviewer called Mikey, she even alluded to the fact that since they are an "equal opportunity" employer, that influenced their decision to hire the woman.  So that was a disappointment for us, but I know Mikey did great in the interview. He always presents himself well and is such a people person.  But, as we all know, everything happens for a reason and whatever happens is in God's plan for our lives.  The hard part is accepting that God's plan doesn't always coincide with our plans!  He is still interested in the Farm Bureau position (his first job choice), but that isn't available until later on in the year when the person retires.  We are hoping that he does actually retire.  It is just frustrating for us because Mikey knows what he wants to do, and is well qualified for it, but there are NO jobs right now!  However, our family is blessed to have two working people and a child who is well-cared for.  I know that during these times, not everyone has that.

Other than that, I am busy preparing my students for the FCAT the week after next.  I will be so thankful when it's over.  There is so much pressure on students and teachers during this time and it is exhausting.  Lying in bed each night thinking of a better way to teach fractions or a more engaging way to practice reading strategies is NOT what I want to be doing!  Of course every job comes with stress, but it is always difficult when your effectiveness lies in the hands of 20 nine year olds who can't even sit still! 

Enough about work... here are some pics of our crazy little man...

(don't worry, I have ordered a discipline book, rush delivery)!

Eating "leftovers" before I had a chance to clean up!

Just like a man....

Helping me clean (LOVES the broom)

Bird Watching

This picture cracks me up... he went and got this belt and wanted me to put it on him.  He's playing with my hairclip, too.  Let's hope this is not a prediction of the future!

Something is funny....

This is what happens when Daddy takes over dinner time....

1 Years

The rest of Grady's pictures are posted-

http://www.kaybrownphotography.com/

and then click ""Online Viewing", then type in White.  There are a few choices so make sure you click White M 2/15/10. 

Sneak Peek

Grady finally had his one year portraits made yesterday... Check Kay Brown's blog for a sneak peek...

Click Here, then click "Daily Blog".

I am excited that she posted him on a blog!  And I love that picture, can't wait to see the rest.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Well, we waited and waited and waited for the snow.  We even had the day off because we can handle a hurricane in FL, but if there are a few snowflakes, we forget how to drive.  It was raining and cold and we kept seeing nearby places on tv with snow flurries all over and kids building snowmen.  Mikey could care less about snow since he got to see it every winter for the first 18 years of his life, but being a southerner, I was very excited.  Finally, around 2 pm it started snowing.  I had just gotten out of the shower, so I had on my bathrobe.  I threw a jacket on Grady, took him outside and we watched the snow fall.  It was really coming down.  Then, I decided to go get dressed in the proper attire for being outside in 30 degree weather, and by the time I came back out, it was over!!!!  I did manage to take a few pics, although they are not that great-

Not too far away, in Brewton, AL, they got a few inches of snow that actually stuck.  Lots of people from here traveled up there to have a play day.  I wish we would have!  I got these from friends on facebook-here is a pic from Brewton, and also one from the FL state line.  I thought it was pretty cute.

So maybe it will happen again in another 15 years.  Who knows!  It's all we've heard about all day, though... it doesn't take much to get us Floridians excited!  Now, I am ready for SPRING!!!!! 

Little of This, Little of That

Since succombing our living room over to Grady's toys, I have been going crazy.  There are toys everywhere.  From big and bulky, to tiny toy cars, everywhere you look there are freakin' baby toys.  On any given day, you can find goldfish crackers, balls, or farm animals under the couch.  I hate how our living room has gone from an adult area to a baby area, just like that... but we don't really have any other option because I want Grady to play out here where we are.  So we've been searching for a "toy box" that will match our living room furniture so we can keep it out here.  I didn't think it would take that long to find what we were looking for.  We wanted more of a hope chest but we didn't want to pay $500 for it, either (Wood You wanted that price).  We had seen one at the Waterfront Mission a while back that was $258, but we really didn't want to pay that much either.  Even if Mikey built one for Grady, it was still going to be costly and time consuming.  So we kept searching and kept coming up empty handed.  We finally went back the Waterfront Mission and they made us a deal and gave us 30% off, so we bought it!  We love it.  It matches well with the living room furniture and fits perfectly in this spot.  What do you think?

Grady really likes it, too. 

Here are some pictures of him just being silly today.  Excuse the "rag-a-muffin" look.  He's become quite a mess since he has started being so "independent".  (Translation- don't try to feed him yourself, hold his juice cup for him, show him how something works, etc.  He can do it himself, and don't worry, if he can't, he'll just scream at the top of his lungs until you'll help him.  Even though you already tried to show him the first time, which also resulted in him screaming at the top of his lungs.)

Trying to "ride" his dumptruck....

Gabbing it up on the phone...

Next Saturday we are FINALLY getting Grady's 1 year pictures done at Kay Brown.  I know we are ridiculously late (he'll be 14 months old by the time we get them done), but better late than never, right?  December was a very busy month, but I guess we better get used to that since his birthday is not changing anytime soon!  I'm hoping his 1st birthday outfits will still fit for the pictures!

And on Sunday, who knows WHAT we will do now that football is ending (in approximately 11 minutes and then one more quarter, but who's counting?)????  We may actually have to resort to some house cleaning, grocery shopping, and perhaps even a little Lifetime Movie Network.  Or I'm sure there will be some quality programming on MTV such as Teen Mom or Jersey Shore.... Ah, the thought is just so relaxing. 

Have a great week!

PS- I know Sunday is Valentine's Day... it was not an accident that I failed to mention any special plans.  You all have met my husband, right???