Books, Books, Books

Wow so since girls camp is over, kids are back in school and Jackson is such a great baby, I have had some time to do my ever favorite hobby. READ! Oh I love it. I went to Liz's house a few weeks ago and borrowed Mocking Jay. (last book in the Hunger Games series) WOW it was great. The author had so many surprises up her sleeve still. I won't do any spoilers to those who haven't read or finished it. But I really liked the series.

Second she gave me a book called A Countess Below Stairs. This was a quick read. It was really good too. I loved the time period that took place and I couldn't put it down. Now remember most of the stuff I like is Young Adult novels. I love to see how authors explain life through a teenagers eyes. The classics are good too, don't get me wrong but I love how authors are able to explain teenage life in our time. However, this book is set back in England and Russia during the cold war. Great novel.

The most recent book I have borrowed from my personal friend's library was The Book Thief. WOW. It is a historical fiction book as well. Set during WWII and about an girl who goes to live with foster parents. Yes there is the typical holocaust stuff and the hiding of a Jew. But what people don't realize is all of the other Germans during the war. There were Germans who flew the flag on the right days and kept their noses clean as to not get thrown in jail or go to war. But they did not really believe in the Nazi party. This book is about them. I was riveted to the book. I was sad, and I laughed and I loved the narrator. It was death! I was kind of surprised at first and was wondering how that was going to work for me. But in this book Death has a sense of humor.

My next saga I am borrowing is Dreamhunter and Dreamquake. I have just only started the first and I will give my feed back when I am done with them. But, I just needed to put my little opinion out there for a couple of great books. And a special thank you to Liz for feeding my hunger with books. I feel a bit like the book thief at her house ;-)

Carolines Birthday!

Yeah! Caroline turned 7 WOW!

Unfortunately it was a hard day for all of us with me finding out about the miscarriage. But Mark and Ria were there to save the day! (Thank you so much guys! It really meant a lot and we were able to end on a high note!)

So Mark and Maria took all of us on a Sunset Dolphin Cruise! It was amazing! It was 2 hours long. We took some amazing pics and Caroline, Hunter, Abbey, Sarah and Ben all got a turn to drive the boat! They even have certificates. They had a blast. We needed some good family time. The kids got to feed the birds of the poop deck(aptly named) and then see a bunch of wild dolphins in the gulf.

After the cruise, we went to dinner at a place called Fuddpuckers. It has all sorts of food. But the kids were more interested in the Live Gators you can pet and touch! Ewwww. But they loved it!

Caroline had a great birthday, We look forward to seeing her be baptized next year. WOW! I love you Caroline you are such a great little girl. Your smile is contagious. Your laugh is as well. You make me smile and laugh everyday. Just because you are who you are. Nothing is forced with you. Your hugs make me happy. I love you!

Mom

Hunters Birthday/ Baptism

Right so Hunters baptism.

I know long time comin

So Hunter had a great showing for his baptism. Aunt Pennie, Granny, Grandma and Grandad, Uncle Mark and Aunt Maria, Sarah and Ben all came to support Hunter.

It was a great day. He was nervous, but excited. Abbey played the piano when they were changing their clothes. She did a great job.

Everyone was such a great support. Thank you so much

Hunter got his own set of scriptures from us!

Tip's birthday was amazing. We had good food, people laughed, and it was just a chilled out day. We loved it.

Hunter, we love you so much! We are so proud of you for choosing to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You are a very special spirit to us and your Heavenly Father. We love you. You will be an amazing young man who will serve Heavenly Father always. People flock to you. You have an amazing personality!

Happy Birthday

Mom and Dad

Time for school.

So I know I still need to update the kids' birthdays I am doing that next so you will need to read a few posts. Sorry.

Anyway, this week we started school. I am happy to say that both girls love their teachers! Yeah!

Hunter however is another story. For those who know Hunter, know that he is quite an intelligent little boy. He loves to read and do math. Of course there is the video games like most little boys, but all in all, the boy loves school. So imagine to my surprise when I walk into Hunters class to meet his teacher and the fireworks began

First. We go to the meet the teacher day before school. This should be the day that the kids have the most fun. New class, New School (for Hunter anyway), New School year. Right? Well no.

We get into the class and you know how there is a ton of paperwork to fill out. Well the teacher asks the kids to go and get a book. Hunter says he just wants to sit by me and watch people. Fine by me, but no miss S decided to tell my son he has to get a book and read. So I tell Tip to just go grab a book. He comes back, doesn't even sit down and the teacher says, "Buddy, that book isn't your level. Why don't you choose a book from this pile?" I kid you not. This boy comes back with a Berenstein Bear book!!! What? He hasn't read those since kindergarten, plus she said it in front of the whole class and parents. Of course you can imagine my look then right? "umm did you really just belittle my child" oohh I was angry.

So anyway, the teacher does her shpill on the rules and then states. "Your children are in this class for one reason. They can't read" WHAT? MY KID CAN'T READ?!!!!

I let her finish then she asks if anyone has a question. I raised my hand and said "yeah, I have a few". I said that it was a total shock to me that my son was placed in this class. I haven't ever received any information that my son was struggling. He has always been the head of his class. All of his grades have been A's through school. Where did you find anything to support him being in this class?

"Well his SAT 10 scores put him here"

"So you only looked at 1 test?"

"Yes, Miss Craig"

"Okay, so if my son does need this class, how come I wasn't notified? Also, if he needs this class I will get him to where he needs to be. However, could it be, just could it be that he had a bad testing day?"

"Well I don't know Maam"

"ok, I will find out"

So I leave the class with Hunter. On the way to the car he tells me that the teacher hurt his feelings. Really? Tip can't blame ya. Mom will take care of it.

Okay, so I come home, lose it with Stacey. I was shaking! Can't talk to Brent because he was in a meeting so I had to wait until he got home.

He gets home. I explain what happened. He tells me that we have 3 options.

1. fight it

2. let him do the first weeks testing and have him prove he doesn't belong there

3. let him just be in the class.

Well option 3. was first out.

The next day I called to speak with the principal. Left a message (she was in a meeting). So I had a break between clients and I called back. I will say this for WNIS. The Principal and Asst. Principal really listen.

I explained what happened to Hunter, I then wanted an explanation as to why he was placed in this class. I said that I would get him help if it was needed but I just didn't see it with Hunter. The asst. principal pulled up Hunters grades, and saw that he has always been at the top. He did say that he most likely had a bad testing day. He was personally going to test Hunter at the beginning of the week, and Brent and I have a meeting with him today. I have been talking with some people who are teachers and they all say that Hunter is right where he needs to be with reading. He is just fine. So hopefully today we will have some answers.

Side note. the asst. principal spoke with Hunters teacher. She then called and apologized to me for her behavior. I told her and the asst. that even if Hunter needs to stay in the program I want him out of her class! I told her that if she spoke to him the way she did with me there, then what was she saying when I wasn't? So either way Hunter is out of that class as of today! Yeah.

WoW alot to get off my chest but soooo worth it.

I know I need to post more I'm getting on it

Okay so I will post on Tip and Liney's birthday in a few days. But I just had to share the best somewhat compliment I have.

One of my YCL's from camp has chosen a new life. She has decided to keep that spiritual high she had at camp. She then went to Youth Conference and was uplifted in her choice. Since then, she has changed who she is hanging out with. Her countenance is so strong! Her spirit radiates from her. Her smile is true and not forced.

She told me that it all started with the planning of camp, and the week of camp, really changed her outlook on life. I am so proud of her! She has started a blog about how she is changing. I am so encouraged that one life was touched by camp. I will post later about camp as well, but just know that it was everything I had hoped it would be and beat it out of the park by a mile as well.

Love, one proud serrogate mother!

My famous words of wisdom

Well they really aren't mine, but I have had to learn to say and live by them the last little bit of my life. Whether it is to cope with something, or to just calm myself down. Two little phrases come to my mind

"It is what it is"

"Just Roll with It"

I have had many times in the last couple of months to learn to do the above stated sayings.

Girls camp is not what it should be here in Pensacola and I am having to learn that the hard way. Luckily I am surrounded with people who think the same way I do on the matter and once July has rolled by, I will be done with it.
Don't take me wrong though, I love girls camp. It is my all time favorite part of the YW program. I am very blessed to work with some awesome adults and YW. But the politics of being a stake camp director can be testing to me. I know I am very headstrong, I know that I like things done my way, but somethings I am actually right on. I followed the book to the letter and I am some how wrong. But oh well. Next year they can do it themselves, then we will see how much Katie Craig actually knows about camp.

Just roll with it. Right?

Then this week we had just what no parent ever wants to hear

I am so sorry, you have had a miscarriage.

It is what it is.

Well right now, you are probably thinking "why is she posting this?" but for me this is my journal and I am getting it out. If you don't want to read this part I am ok and will not be offended. But it is something I need to do.

We waited to tell everyone we were pregnant with a few exceptions. (close friends, and family) We misscarried in 07 with a blighted ovum. This was sad, I had to have a D and C and everything was ok. Yes I mourned not being pregnant but there wasn't an actual baby in there so it for me anyway was a pretty quick recovery period.

This time however, I was 11 weeks pregnant excited for JJ to have a buddy to play with. I guess you could say that this one was somewhat planned. I know that we get prego really fast and all but this was just one that we were hoping for.

We went to the doctor on Monday, Liney's birthday (post to follow soon I promise for both Tip and Liney) we had an ultrasound. When we went into the room and saw no heartbeat we both just knew. The cute little lab tech said, "the doctor will come in and speak with you about the ultrasound" (code for: oh crap I don't want to tell them) and our fears were confirmed.

So the doctor came in and we talked, scheduled another D and C for Tues. Can I just take a moment to tell you how happy I am that I am surrounded by some amazing people? Thank you to all who keep babysitting me during this time! My surgery went well, except for a horrible sore throat. The tubes aggrivated something bad in my throat for sure. Anyway, we came home and Stacey, Missy, Liz and Mark and Maria were all here for us the whole way. From taking my kids, to cooking dinners, to offering to babysit me. They were all here. Then comes the next wave of people who are so close to us, Carrie, Carla, the Alvarez girls, Sarah Lazane, Dene, and April, even Natalia who I do not know very close yet, they were all here showing support. I do need to mention My family and Brents as well. I know you are not close to us but thank you for all you do and show your support.

The kids have taken this all on them. I have to apologize to them for seeing their mom spontaneously burst into tears all day. That is not something I want them to see. But we have had a few talks and they just want to make sure I am not in pain. Brent is the best too! He has said to me so many times "I just want to make you better. I know that we are not having a baby right now, but my priority is you" WOW. That is so what I want to hear. MY husband loves me so much that he even gets mushy with me. I love you moneymaker!

So thank you to all that are standing by us, by me, by my kids. You don't know how much we love you. I don't know if we will try right away for another baby, but we are not out of the mix just yet.

The great thing that I think about is very simple. It makes me cry to think of it. I have a beautiful family. I can have babies. I have a forever family. My marriage is eternal. I have a Heavenly Father that knows my needs and knows my weaknesses. I am supposed to learn from this and I will. I know that Heavenly Father knows what is best for our family. I am so blessed to know for sure that he has my best intrest at heart.

Sorry for the long post, but like we say "It is what it is"

Happy Anniversary

So this last week Brent and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. Our original plan years ago included a wedding ring that didn't turn my finger green but only "if" we made it to this anniversary. It has been our little joke for a long time. However, on year 8 Brent found a screamin' deal at a jeweler going out of business, so I got that ring 2 years ago.

Or other plan was to go on our first cruise for our 10 year anniversary. Well, we had a beautiful baby named Jackson at the end of year 9 and I just can't leave him so young for our anniversary.

Year 1:

A night at home with a newborn Abbey.

Year 2:

A night at Anniversary Inn 8 months pregnant with Hunter in a bed shaped like an octopus and only I fit in it. Good times

Year 3:

Another night at Anniversary in pregnant with Caroline. This however was a huge bed! we made sure

Year 4:

A night at home once again

Year 5:

Spent apart. Brent helped Nate move

Year 6:

Once again spent apart. He moved to South Bend and I joined him 6 weeks later

Year 7:

Spent at home. lovely night

Year 8:

Spent in an apartment on the West side of Pensacola (New Wedding Ring Year)

Year 9:

Went to Crabs on the beach with Brents Parents! It was so much fun.

So what did we do then you ask?

Well, May, 13th this year fell on a Thursday. So the kids were at school, we dropped off J.J. to a friend and we went to lunch on the beach and shopped for the kids. WOW what a day. However, I got to spend the whole day with Brent. We really don't get much of that. Baseball, work, piano, church, life in general makes being a husband and wife a trial to spend an entire day together, but we enjoy every minute we get to be together.

So although we just got to hang out. It was a great day. I love you money maker. You make my life a blast. I truly am married to my Best Friend.

Love ya