Erin's New Teeth

At Erin's last orthodontist appointment, they told me that her orthodontist needed to see me for a consultation. Erin took that to mean her braces were coming off. I took it to mean they were going to hit us up for some new procedure and more money. However, Erin told me it was important to have faith, and by golly, she was right.

Here is a picture of Erin with no more braces. I think she looks beautiful!

On a sad note, Jonathan left today for 8 months. That is not fun for any of us. I feel a little bad because people have made comments to him like they would never leave their family, or he doesn't need to go to the school, etc. and I take them to be judgemental comments. It feels like this is the right thing to do for reasons that are clear to us -- and as a family we feel very peaceful and positive. Our Ward and our friends here has reached out with so much love and support that it is truly unbelievable. We feel incredibly blessed to be here in Tennessee, and we just pray these next months go by quickly!

Blendtec - Smoothies Galore!

When Jonathan and I got married (16 yrs ago), his parents gave us a mixer/wheat grinder from Kitchen Mill. Well, after 16 yrs, our wheat grinder stopped working. Jonathan thought it was not the motor but some other teeth like part. We called the company and asked them about it because we thought that part had a lifetime warranty. They told us to send it back and they would look at it. Worst case scenario was that they would refurbish it for $100 -- so we sent it back and about 3 weeks later they mailed us back a brand new wheat grinder for free. How's that for customer service?!!! It was then that we learned the products are no longer Kitchen Mill but Blendtec, as that is what is advertised on our new wheat grinder.

Being so impressed with the company, we started looking at their other products and saw a blender we really liked. We decided we were going to get this for our birthdays in October, but since Jonathan will be gone long before then (and we got a killer deal on Ebay), we ordered one. It is so fun I can hardly believe it. Jonathan has been making us smoothies (you can put an apple in whole -- they say don't even remove the seeds because that is where the protein comes from), Wendy's frosties (yum!) and Jonathan even made a loaf of bread starting with the wheat kernels themselves. It crushes ice like nothing I've ever seen. The funnest part is you don't have to guess on anything because the machine automatically shuts off when it is done. I have had a T-Fal blender for years that I do not like and it is just pathetic compared to this amazing blender. I think there is nothing it cannot do! All I can say is "WOW!"

A good Day!

Erin, Lindsey and Jenna all decided to take the bus this morning. I was not surprised for Erin and Jenna, but for Lindsey this is huge! She has intense bus phobia which doesn't mean she is afraid of the bus, but she is scared to death she will not know which bus to get on and she did it! I am so proud of her. In addition, last night she said that she was not scared and she didn't understand why. She said she was excited for school, but not really nervous at all. What a great day.

School Dress Code

I love the dress code here in our schools. I didn't know public schools could have such a strict dress code, but they do and this code is strictly enforced. So did you catch that? In elementary school, they can wear shorts if they are to the knees, but in middle school and high school, no shorts at all.

MUNFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL DRESS CODE


Students are expected to keep themselves well-groomed and neatly dressed at all times. Any form of dress or hair style which is contrary to good hygiene or which is disruptive or detrimental to the orderly educational progress of other students will not be permitted.
The following specific items of apparel or accessory will not be permitted.



(THIS LIST IS NOT ALL INCLUSIVE)



DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS:




SHORTS, SHORT SKIRTS, OR SHORT DRESSES




Tube tops, halters, tank tops, fishnet shirts/tops or shirts that show any part of the stomach or cleavage. Spandex, leotard type pants, slit skirts, and mini-skirts are inappropriate.



ANY clothing that advertises drugs, alcoholic beverages, casinos or have obscene or inappropriate printing or pictures.




Shoes with metal cleats or taps




Bare feet, flip-flops, or house shoes




Head coverings of any kind - caps, hats, nets, wave caps, du-rags, bandannas, etc.




Sunglasses




Pants with belts or buttons unbuckled or unbuttoned




Overalls with straps unbuckled




Pants or shirts that are torn or have holes or rips.




Low riding pants, pants with writing on the rear, and pajama pants.




Body piercing and accessories considered dangerous, disruptive or detrimental example:

long chains or studded dog collars


Pants with belt loops must be worn with a belt




Safety, health, and individual dignity provide the basis for any dress code. If clothing is disruptive to the learning process or if it is embarrassing to others, steps will be taken to deal with the individual student. If there is a question as to whether an article of clothing is appropriate for school wear, please contact the school administration prior to wearing.

First Day of School

Missing from the pictures is Michael because he is missing his first THREE days of school! Lucky Kid! Erin had on a pair of new tan pants that looked so cute on her. She came home 3 hours later with a sick look on her face. When I asked her what was wrong she showed me the sharpie marker line right across the knee on her pants. She said, it just slipped right off of my paper -- I asked my teacher if she thought it would come out and she said no, probably not. Though I feel badly, it reaffirms in mind (again and again) why I do not like to pay much for Erin's clothes, as they only typically last only short while!

Kindergarten Registration

We just got back from Kindergarten registration and after seeing all the teachers, I am still super glad that Jenna is with Ms. Patricia. She is truly wonderful! After going to Jenna's classroom, we walked around the brand new school to find Erin and Lindsey's classrooms. There are three main hallways where the classrooms are. Jenna's hallway is green, Lindsey's is orange and Erin's is either purple or blue; I can't remember at the moment. I like that because if they get lost they only have to look for their color and that narrows things down quite a bit. At their school last year, it was so overcrowded that they did away with the music and art rooms and those teachers traveled with carts. Now they are back to having regular music and art rooms and that is really fun. Their old music teacher was loony and she did not transfer to the new school, and all I can say about that is "Praise the Lord!"

Yesterday, I found out that Lindsey and Jax, a boy from Primary, will be in the same classroom again. I called them both over and told them they were together again. Lindsey's comment was, "That's disgusting" and Jax's comment was, "You might as well just shoot me now." I told them both that people save such words like those for those they love the best! However, tonight after seeing that Jax is the only one she knows in her class, Lindsey is rethinking her previous words and is rather happy they are together. Erin has her friend Briana in her class. They have been together now for three years and Briana lives two houses away from us. Jenna, however, knows no one in her class and you can see her anxiety levels topping the chart. They have staggered beginning for kindergarteners and I am thrilled that she gets to go on the first day because only after going will she feel better. There is nothing I can say.

So Jonathan isn't even gone yet (well he is gone ... but not to Virginia) and I am already tired! I don't know if I am up for 7 months of this -- yikes!!! Andrew screamed all the way home because he doesn't want to go to his preschool anymore. He wants to be in Jenna's kindergarten class. I was trying to figure out what was wrong and he said he didn't want to go to the little school anymore (his school) and Jenna said, he just wants to be in elementary school. Andrew then tried to repeat it ... Yes, I just want to be in ____ (long pause). He was trying and trying to com eup with the word, but he could not remember the word elementary and he probably can't say it either. So finally he said, Yeah, I just want what Jenna said!

And More

My neighbor Carolyn, who lives across the street, is good friends with Jenna's Pre-K teacher from last year, Ms. Patricia. We loved Ms. Patricia (isn't that funny here ... all the kids call their teachers by their first names in the elementary school only) and when we learned she would be a kindergarten teacher this year and would also be moving to the new Atoka Elementary School, we really wanted Jenna to have her again. Anyway, I had heard from Lindsey's teacher and Erin's teacher, but not from Jenna's teacher. So tonight I went over to Carolyn's to see if she would call Ms. Patricia and find out if Jenna was in her class. While I was at Carolyn's front door knocking, up drove a car and who was it but Ms. Patricia! And yes, Jenna will be in her class next year. She is the only Pre-K student from her class last year that will be blessed to have this wonderful teacher again. We were so excited that even Andrew couldn't stop hugging her. It looks like they should all have a great year!

School Shopping ... Officially DONE!!!

For those of you with boys, you will just not even understand how big a feat this is, but for those with girls, I know you are with me. When Michael got school age, I always thought school shopping was rather easy, as in you just get a few pair of pants, twice as many shirts, and a pair of new shoes -- no big deal. You could go out in one afternoon, make a quick sweep of the store, and presto, shopping was done. Michael barely ever wore out his clothes, so I maybe had to supplement with one or two items during the year and that was it. School shopping for girls is an entirely different story! For someone who herself hates to wear more than jeans and a t-shirt, it is not fun to look at your girls and have them look sloppy or mismatched. I like their clothes perfectly matched with good socks and matching shoes. Okay, to be honest, if I could afford to just go into any store and pick out what I wanted regardless of cost, it wouldn't be so bad, but to try to bargain shop it all can make it into a daunting task. I finally finished last week after finding Erin some awesome shirts at a department store and then 6 pr of capris (in the same lot) on Ebay for $20 (including shipping). 6 pair of capris that are like new is a pretty good deal if you ask me. So the clothes were done, but today was tax free shopping day in Tennessee, so I went to Walmart very early this morning and got the mounds of items on their class lists, one last pair of shoes for Erin, found super cute Crocs (imiatation) on sale for $2.00 and got all the girls a pair, found Jenna's kindergarten mat, stocked up on socks and new underwear, and now I can truthfully say we are good to go! I was dreading this Walmart trip, but early in the morning, it was quite enjoyable. Now all of their backpacks are overflowing with all of these supplies, but we are ready!

Later this afternoon, Lindsey's new teacher called to introduce herself and my goodness, I am in love with her already. Her name is Ms. Craig. I talked to her briefly about Lindsey's anxiety and she told me she always hugs her kids in school (which is exactly what Lindsey needs) and that she has a real soft spot for shy girls. She is experienced, super sweet, and said she will totally watch out for Lindsey and the anxiety she will be having with going to the new school. I am really excited!!!

Well, that's it for now. I am going outside to attempt the task of cleaning out our van. The mere thought makes me cringe, but it sure does feel better when it's done.