Hi-Ho Hi-Ho...It's Off To Work I (Hopefully) Go!

Well, the time has come. I am attempting to venture back into the workforce. It's funny...you work really hard to get your bachelor's degree, extra hard to get your master's degree, then the "authorities" treat you like a preschooler when it comes to obtaining your OT license to re-enter the job market. I have worked non-stop since 10:00am today (it is now almost 9:00pm) trying to fill out paperwork, dig for old paperwork, talk on the phone in a happy, enthusiastic tone to inquire about an OT position that is available, work on and shine up a resume, and complete a cover letter. Then, finally, FINALLY, send the e-mail with resume attached and stuff a large envelope full off paperwork (and lots of money, of course) to the state of South Carolina. That is only after I beat the computer into oblivion because the resume template wasn't working out thanks to all the columns, rows, tabs, etc. And after my brain began to hurt from remembering dates, accomplishments, etc. over the past nine years!

But, I did it. And I am excited about going back to work. I will be even more excited when I find a lovely place of employment who is head over heels for me and my desire to work part-time and the hours from 9am-1:30pm so I can deal with my boys' school schedules. I am determined to find it. It may not be pediatrics, but I will be practicing OT very soon. And not overtime (I already do that being a mom!)...Occupational Therapy.

Any prayers would be appreciated in this job market...and, of course, with my specific requirements :)

Art Display

As many of you know I love to be creative and crafty, but I also love to shop! So, I often attempt to duplicate something I like that it is too pricey. This time it worked out pretty well! I found a cute display frame at Wisteria.com (check that site out if you haven't!), but didn't want to fork over the amount of money they wanted me to. Plus, it seemed pretty simple. So...I ventured into Hobby Lobby and as luck would have it I found a 16 x 20 black frame on clearance because of a few nicks (I covered them with black marker and you can't even find them!). Only $10! The non-nicked ones were $40 and up. I already had twine and miniature clothespins. I guess that is the OT in me...always thinking about fine motor :) So, I proceeded to put this art display together with all you see above. I stapled the twine to the back, then hammered the staple so the twine would not slip. Then I attached the art with the clothespins. It was finished and ready to go before an episode of Jack's Big Music Show was over. I am going to hang it in Dane's room to display the many wonderful art projects he does at Mother's Morning Out, and the ones we do here at home. On a side note, I have transformed Dane's room into a "big boy" room meaning the rocking chair has been moved out and toys and such have been rearranged to accommodate the almost 2-year old. Now I am enjoying the rocking chair in my sun room! I will have to make an art display frame for Blake's room. Now my refrigerator is nice and neat, but I can still admire the boys' cute creations! Plus, they have something fun hanging on the wall in their room that they can really call their own...

Preparing for Company...and a Trip!

A very exciting thing is about to happen. My best friend, Mendy, is coming to visit me (okay, I guess Matt and the boys, too)! Not many people come to visit us, so this is extra special! We became friends in preschool, remained friends through all of school graduating high school together. We never lost touch in college or during many different moves across country. We still talk more than once a week even though I live in South Carolina, she is Kansas. The times we spend together are filled with long talks over coffee, various shopping excursions, and deep discussions over yummy food. But, truly we are the kind of friends that could sit in one spot and talk for hours and have more fun that most people.

Not only is Mendy coming to visit me (us), while she is here we are taking a road trip to Charleston! Just her and I. Woo Hoo...girls' weekend! I am so excited to share with her my love of the southern culture and charm, and of course, the amazing landscape. She will get to spend time in the upstate (mountains), travel through the midlands, then spend time exploring in the low country (Charleston). And, luckily, so will I! She doesn't arrive until September 4th, but as you can see I am already excited and preparing for her visit. It is going to be such a treat to have her here, and even better, I will be able to celebrate my birthday with her in the beautiful city of Charleston! Stories and pictures to follow...

Back to School!

Today was Blake's first day of school! The first three days are half days, so we are already home and Blake is sound asleep after having a very busy (and early) morning. We are so blessed with a very social boy who tolerates changes and new environments very well. And one who loves to learn and go to school. He was a bit impatient as we realized there was no carpool line for drop off..even though the assistant principal made it VERY clear there would be, which meant we had to wait in a long line to sign in as visitors to get to his classroom. After a fall on the sidewalk resulting in a skinned-up knee and a few pouts for being made to wait, Blake was excited to put his things in his cubby, hang up his backpack and get started! I, too, had a few pouts for not being prepared to carry many things and Dane, wait in a line and walk Blake to class. I was the frustrated parent who didn't have a camera or make a fuss over the first day. I just wanted the carpool line and our usual routine!!! I'm sure the other parents thought several things about me, and probably not good things. So, after driving, waiting, dropping off and driving again - all of which totaled an hour and a half, Dane and I arrived at Falls Park for our Wednesday walk with friends :)

Oh, if only it was a happy ending. Blake had a great day, which is the PERFECT ending, but the carpool line (yet again) made me somewhat of a crazed maniac who wanted to jump out and knock on peoples' car windows to share my advice. Advice that I thought was VERY obvious and easy, and advice that was told to them at open house. There are signs, painted diamonds on the road directing you, and an obvious road/drive set-up that indicated drive here, don't drive there. So...after people driving through the grass of the school yard (thanks to those who did NOT follow directions), people giving others a few choices words and gestures, and a wait in a line for 45 minutes - yes, 45 minutes, I picked up my son. But, wait. I had to pull into a parking space to buckle him into his car seat because the teacher can put him in a seat, but not buckle him this year. Thanks to the school's attorney, I'm sure.

It must seem like all I have are complaints. I don't. Blake's new school is wonderful, his teachers are great, and I adore the assistant principal who is a yankee and has a great sense of humor. He means business. Which means since he is not from the south, he tells it like it is and there is no sugar-coating. That is a good quality when dealing with a bunch of parents of 3 and 4 year old children. I am excited for the year and to see Blake grow, learn and develop! I am also excited to watch some parents grow, learn and develop as they master the carpool line :) Enjoy the pictures on the new header of the blog page. He looked quite dapper for his big first day!

Fun Times at the Park!

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What a great end to a fun weekend! Matt was home all weekend and we packed it full of fun things we did as a family. My apologies for another slideshow. I love photography, so it is a good thing I start taking photography classes this Fall! I guess the bad thing is...more slideshows :) My good friend, Catie, shared her discovery of this wonderful new park. It is so lovely with gardens, waterfalls, state of the art playground equipment and a walking trail. Greenville just gets better and better! The boys enjoyed their time at the park on a hot Carolina day, and we ALL napped when we got home...

Water Play!

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We bought a new sprinkler that the boys didn't love, but they had a great time playing in the pool, water table and the bucket I filled up with water! Thank goodness they are easily entertained! We have had a great weekend so far with Matt home for the entire weekend! We went to the farmer's market this morning and for a walk downtown. Then we had our dose of greasy goodness at Five Guys followed by the water play documented above! Matt just finished prepping steaks for us tonight that we will enjoy with a nice bottle of wine. Tomorrow we have plans to visit a new park and pack a picnic. All as a family! These moments are cherished especially during Matt's demanding second year schedule. I am soaking it all up since Matt leaves this Friday for five days...boo.

CLEAN vs. DIRTY: No Two Kids Are Alike

CLEAN vs.

DIRTY!!!!! Or maybe I should have titled this entry as Dane vs. the pancake syrup with Blake and Mommy as innocent bystanders! The boys both had the same meal. Notice spic 'n span Blake, and of course, you can't miss what Dane has done. Dane has a habit of wiping various food products into his hair while he eats. Not only does he wipe it in his hair, but he mushes it all around and pulls up on his hair. He created this masterpiece of a 'do all on his own. I'm not sure he is even aware that he does it. Typically it is syrup, yogurt, pudding, and a variety of condiments. Nothing too chunky, but "products" that do enough damage by creating sticky, icky, crunchy hair that has to be scrubbed in the bathtub. I finally decided to document this silly behavior of Dane's in a few pictures and share it with all of you. Hopefully this isn't the precursor to twisting his hair since that is what his Daddy does to this day...sorry Matt.

Legal Graffiti

Sometimes it is a good thing when you misplace toys you have purchased or that have been purchased as a gift. These tub crayons have been MIA so long that I can't recall if I bought them or if they were given as a gift. Either way, I found them and you would have thought the boys were opening up gifts on Christmas morning! They had a great time drawing all over the tub and it was even fun to use the washcloths to wipe it off. I'm sure the joy of cleaning up will wear off very soon. I guess there was a positive side to cleaning out and organizing all of the closets! Who knows what other treasures I will find...

How Appropriate...

I decided to make one of our favorite go-to pasta dishes tonight...Spicy Shrimp Pasta. Yum! It calls for white wine in the sauce. I usually have some Yellow Tail on hand, but only had one bottle of white left. A good friend gave this to me for a gift and I have been saving it. For what, I'm not sure. I had to open it tonight for the pasta recipe and then quickly realized how appropriate it was as I was cooking a dish you couldn't walk away from, throwing (literally) food at the boys for dinner...all as Matt arrived home late, as usual. So, by then I was a MAD HOUSEWIFE as the bottle says. I guess I was saving it for the perfect occasion!

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Here is a glimpse of our road trip! We traveled through 7 states and clocked over 2200 miles! The slideshow shares all of our fun times with family and friends (except I didn't get pictures at the wedding - darn!) including aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents and my cousin's brand new baby boy! And it shows a lot of the fun places we visited. It was too cold to go swimming at the pool or water parks except for our very last day in St. Louis where we were able to take a dip in Grandpa and Grandma Hollenbeck's pool. Enjoy!

We Are Home!!!

We arrived home this morning at 7:30am! For some reason the drive seemed longer this time, but the boys did FANTASTIC! They watched a movie for the first two hours, then slept the remaining 8 1/2 hours without a peep. I had nothing to complain about except for the 45-minute delay in Nashville for construction and the fog from Chattanooga to Greenville. I did have a moment in between Atlanta and home where I thought I could not go any further and just wanted to close my eyes, but when there is only two hours left, home was way to close to stop. The boys were so thrilled to be back home and see Matt. Blake just kept saying "Daddy, Daddy" over and over when he saw him. As for now, I need sleep!!! An update with a picture slideshow will be done as soon as I am a little more coherent!