September 22nd, 2011

Oh where to begin....Since my last post we have been sorta busy.  Soccer practice and games, dance classes started for the year and i was prepping for the annual Attica yard sales during Pottawatomie weekend.  I made a killing in case anyone was wondering.  The soccer games are great.  Natalee is killing out there.  She is a natural athlete.  She's not GREAT or scholarship worthy, but she is good at everything.  She scores at least 2-3 goals/game.  Emilee is just now catching on.  She loves the game.  Most Saturdays she runs with her arms flailing while screaming with joy down the field.  We had to teach her to be aggressive-it's just not her thing to be that way.  The girls were able to participate in the Pottawatomie Parade with out Bi-County Soccer Club.  They had so much fun flinging candy off the float to their friends.  I had several parents tell me that Natalee pelted little Johnny in the forehead.  Oh well, that's the risk you take letting Natty ride in the parade.  This weekend is the Annual Jean Family Cook Out at Nathaniel's mom and Dad's place.  It's generally a good time, but Nathaniel has to work so I'm on my own.  I hate doing this stuff without him.  I'm itching for a weekend where we don't have to do anything and can just STAY HOME!  I'll be posting pictures as soon as I get on to my other computer.  I'm not storing pics on the laptop.  Until next time....

~Amanda~

Aug 31st

By the end of last week Natalee had stopped crying every night.  We were down to maybe every other-sometimes not at all.  She said she likes her teacher.  She takes her lynch every day and gets milk in the cafeteria.  I drop her off in the drop/pick line at school and she really likes walking in like a big girl.  Sometimes, when I drop her off I look at the BIG school and the LITTLE girl walking in and I'm terrified for her.  I'm not there to protect her anymore and that SUCKS!  An example would be this:  She came home from school yesterday telling the story of how a boy held her hands behind her back while another one kicked her in the shins.  She told Mrs. Ashley and she said the boy had to apologize, which he did not.  Wow-that's all I can say!  I was ready to keep her home with me after that story.




On a lighter note....The girls had a soccer game Saturday and they did really well.  Emmy is really getting in there and showing some aggression.  I had to explain that it was OK to be that way on the field and then off the field she can be "nice" again.  Natalee has improved so much since last year.  Goal after goal is being scored and that excites me!  Emilee had "Back to School Night" for preschool last night.  She dropped her stuff off to the classroom and gave Ms. Hall and Mrs. Kler a hug.  She is so excited for school to start up again.  I'm happy to see Emilee really take an interest in learning this year.  She said she wants to be smarter than her sister-the competition has begun!

I have enrolled in a class for medical transcription training with Career Step.  I'm hoping it all works out.  I so want to be able to work from home.  The girls are already involved in so much at a young age that I can't imagine working outside of the home.  I really have a strong appreciation for those Mom's and Dad's that do.  I try to be as helpful as I can to the working moms who have kids in my kids' class. 

Nathaniel and I have started exercising.  This is a big deal for us.  As many of you know I have struggled with my weight for nearly my entire life.  Nathaniel has not.  Only recently has he gained weight that he is having a harder time getting off.  Right now we are walking on our treadmill and slowly cutting out some of the snacks.  I'm looking for a used Bow flex that is in good condition.  I don't want to be overweight for the remainder of my life.  I want to play basketball with my kids without getting winded!!  Any suggestions are welcome!  That is all for now...God Bless

One Week down....

Last week was difficult to say the very least.  Natalee is so tough on the outside.  She would do great every morning.  She didn't even want me to walk her in by the third day.  But she changed her mind on Friday and wanted me to walk her in and stand with her-I gladly did.  She loves music class and the library.  She said her teacher is really nice, but she has to listen. 
We spent the weekend going to her and her sister's soccer game and then to Lafayette for the afternoon.  Sunday was our lazy day and we ALL needed it.  Sunday night, Natalee began to cry about her teacher saying she was afraid of her.  I wrote a quick note to the teacher expressing my concern with feelings.  I asked for her teacher to give her a few minutes to just reassure her.  I don't know if she did or not.  I've already noticed a lack in communication from her teacher.  Natalee was attending the Title I class a couple of times and I was never informed of this.  I feel that I should have been informed and told what the classroom is about.  I hate to send another message to the teacher, but I may have to.
Emilee is being Emilee.  She's a bit more needy with Natty not around.  She still misses the playmate in her big sister.  I think we both are just trying to adjust.  More to come later this week.

~Mandy~

Third and Final Attempt...

So, that's right.  This is my third and final attempt at a "blog".  I always have the best of intentions every time I start one.  But one thing leads to another and I abandon my blog.  This time is for keeps.  I vow to blog at least three times a week.  I need to.  I need to be able to get out what I want to say and to share with family far away all the things that go on day to day around my house...kids, farm, hubby;).

So, here it is...Natalee girls first day of Kindergarten.  It was rough, but not as rough as I thought it would be.  She was tired this morning and ate her breakfast and complained...the entire time about waking up too early.  We got dressed, brushed teeth, brushed hair and then sat on the couch and waited to leave.  Emilee woke up and was mad that we left her upstairs-she got over it.  As I was watching her walk ahead of me at school this morning, I couldn't believe that big girl was once a tiny gassy baby in my arms-this is the same little girl that will stick her butt in your face while you are lying down and rip one!  I love her-more than I ever knew that I could.  She has been a bright spot in most of my days-she is my daughter and looks just like me.  She is Nathaniel's daughter and ACTS just like him-most of the time.  She's smart and inquisitive.  She always wants to know MORE.  She is independent, silly and outgoing.  She is sometimes timid of new situations.  She is eager to please and just as eager to point out when something is not right.  I am so proud of her.  I nearly lost my baby girl almost a year ago~I'm so glad that God seen fit for her to stay here with me.  Imagine all that we would have missed.  Good Luck Sweet Girl!