Well. It's been over 5 years since my last post. I couldn't possibly recount everything that's happened with my life at the zoo in a single post. So, Cliff's Notes version. . .
The end of 2013 husband tore his rotator cuff and was on leave from work, had surgery in early 2014 and spent several months in physical therapy. During his time off, in early 2014 I attended Delaware State Fire School and became a nationally registered EMT volunteering at our local fire dept and an ambulance station in Smyrna, DE. In the late summer/early fall of 2014 took a short course to attain my Maryland EMT Certification. My dearest friend at the time and her family had moved to FL in early Spring of 2014. The day after the kids were done with school, we packed some bags and headed down to see our friend's new digs in FL and have some fun with them for a week.
The beginning of 2015, like, literally, the beginning, Jan 4th, I was going to take Tall One to her friend's house to hang out for the day. Gravity had other plans for me. I misstepped walking out of the front door and managed to break my left ankle and fracture my right ankle, spilling my entire travel cup of coffee in the process (and I'm still more upset about that than the broken ankles! Haha!). The fire dept I volunteered at responded to the house to take me to the hospital until Husband could get someone to keep an eye on the kids for us. It was such a long day. Several months later, cooking breakfast for dinner I took a cookie sheet of bacon out of the oven and didn't hold it as level as I thought I was and molten hot bacon grease poured over the edge and cascaded down to the top of my right foot which was basically completely exposed since I was only wearing flip flops. The first half of 2015 was physically hard on me and my poor ankles/foot. Just before we rang in 2015 my Aunt passed away. I helped my mom a little going through her sister's apartment and my Aunt's cat, KC, took to me immediately. I wanted to bring her home on that first day, but, with Husband always saying he has a cat allergy, I didn't. He ended up giving in for me and letting her come live with us. She's a sweet girl and very proper (for a cat). It took her a couple weeks to adjust from being in a quiet child-free apartment to a chaotic house with a dog and 3 rambunctious kids. Tall One, Thing 1 and Thing 2 quickly fell in love with her, but, she didn't share the same kind of affections. They all wanted to hold her and carry her around and that's not her style. She is a typical cat and will come to you when she wants your affection. Just don't pick her up and carry her around, haha!
The middle of 2015 my Mother In Law (MIL) wanted to retire, but, in order to do that she would have to sell her house and a) find something smaller and way cheaper, or b) move in with us. We decided we'd do an addition on the house to make room for her. Well, a bunch of trips to the county permits office and pricing for a completely overhauled new septic system we decided we'd look for a bigger house to accommodate the 6 of us. We looked here and there, but, just didn't find anything in our price range in our area that didn't need a massive amount of work and money poured into it. Husband, MIL and I talked it over and decided if we're going to move, let's go big. I suggested North Carolina and husband and MIL suggested Florida. Florida bound we became. MIL sold her house very quickly and she and I flew to FL to look at houses at the end of 2015. After a week of looking and losing hope, we found the perfect house. She put in an offer, it was accepted and we began packing. Our house stayed on the market and was rented out to an older couple who love it and are in the process of trying to buy it.
2016. I moved to our new "Florever" home with a loaded down Suburban and a cat to get the house ready for the rest of the family to come down in Feb. It was tough being in FL without my family. I missed them so much everyday and I actually felt alone some days, even after I'd talked to husband and the kids on the phone that day. I applied for a job working for the county as a fire rescue dispatcher and got the job! It was a 9 month process and I didn't actually start until Aug 2016. Until then there were a couple odd jobs to bring in a couple bucks until Charlie found a full time job and my job with the county started. It was super tight in the beginning. The move was really hard on the kids, so, our first year was bumpy to say the least. I stayed with Fire Rescue Dispatch for almost a year, but, poor management and the long work hours were taking too hard a toll on my family. I left Dispatch in the Spring of 2017 and found a job with a small, but growing, dental company in their cooperate office in their call center taking new patient appointments for the 17 offices they had at the time. I worked there for 2 years and the company expanded to over 40 offices in that time.
2019. Things in the "Home Office" were getting cold and sterile and they were losing touch with the "homelike" environment they had when they were smaller. I noticed on the public school website that there was a secretary position available at the middle school my son attends. I applied online, emailed the principal secretary my resume and even had my son take her a hard copy of my resume. I was called in for an interview and it went really well. I was offered the position and left the dental company to work in the public school system and be able to see my son everyday! It was a dream! I now have the same time off my kids to during the school year and summertime.
Several weeks ago I was told that due to lack of enrollment at the school I was working in that my secretary position was being cut by the school district. I was devastated. My son was devastated! I didn't know what was going to happen. God had His hand on the situation and an opportunity to work at another school not too far from where I was before was available and I've been at the new school since.
We're getting ready to celebrate Christmas next week. I can't wait to have 2 weeks off with my kids!
I realize I "skipped" over 2017 and 2018 and this post isn't really focusing on the funny, milestone, wacky antics of the kids. This was just a quick recap of what I, personally, have been up to during this 5 year absence from blogging. I'll get y'all caught up with my zoo shenanigans since my last post in Sept. 2013.
Monday, December 16, 2019
Thursday, September 5, 2013
It's Finally Here!
The day I've waited for has finally arrived! Jessi is going to school! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE her with all my heart and am truly blessed to be a stay-at-home-mom these past (nearly) 7 years. For the past four years for at least a few hours a day (until John went into all day kindergarten) it's been just me and Jessi during the day. She's a pretty spirited little girl. Very imaginative and lively.
All my children stopped taking regular naps by a year and a half old, so I've rarely had any "quiet" time during the day in YEARS! Jessi's always wanted to go to school and often plays "school" with her dolls, barbies or stuffed animals. She pretends to be the teacher and her toys are her students. She really has quite the imagination. The day has come for her to venture out into a small piece of the world and begin a new chapter in her childhood. A chapter filled with learning her "A B C's", "1 2 3's", learning how to write her name, read books, make master pieces during art, interact with other children, build friendships and learn rules and schedules.
I'm excited to find out how her first day of Pre-K went!
Monday, August 26, 2013
First Day Of School
He's come so far in these past four years and overcome pretty intense speech difficulties and I'm so proud of him. I'm so blessed to be able to call him my son and I love him more than words can express. Here's to a new and exciting school year!
New Grade, New School
I have every confidence she will find her way and flourish in her studies. I'm so proud of the young lady she's become and am often complimented on how kind and sweet she is. I'm truly blessed to have her as my daughter.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Family Vacation
Charlie and I loaded up all the luggage and beach supplies Friday evening so all we'd have to do Saturday morning was get in the van and go. Saturday morning Charlie and I woke up and got everyone else up and ready and we were on the road at 5:45am. We made a stop for doughnuts, coffee and juice about 30 minutes into the drive and made our way down the road again. About 30 minutes after getting breakfast the AC in the van stopped working. Already an hour into our 9 hour drive and we've hit our first snafu. Fortunately we were in Annapolis and made a stop at Advanced Auto to get a Freon kit. The gauge on the can of Freon said what we had in the van was correct. Charlie could only figure the compressor was going bad. We decided to keep going. While all of this is going on I'm not feeling well and can't hear out of my right ear. I considered stopping at a CVS Minute Clinic on our way, but, decided against it for sake of time. After sitting in hours of traffic through Virginia (most of which was spent with no AC in the van) we finally made it into NC. We were half way there! Our GPS got us off track a little bit, but after all day driving we arrived at the Realtor's office to pick up our condo keys. Another 5 minutes of driving to the condo and we turned the key to our home for the week around 7pm. (Yes, that would be over 13 hours on the road, heavy traffic and no AC). I have to give a big shout out to my kids, though. Despite the heat, sweating, traffic and endless hours in the van during our drive they were amazing! I anticipated a day filled with fighting and crying and there was barely a peep out of anyone! Shortly after we arrived my parents arrived at their condo (a few condo buildings over from where we were staying). We got our luggage up to our condo and started settling in. My mother-in-law and I headed out to the local grocery store to pick up some food for the next day while Charlie kept an eye on the kids and got all the beds made.
Sunday morning started with Jessi and I heading to Myrtle Beach, SC (30 minutes from where were staying) to get checked out at a CVS Minute Clinic. I still couldn't hear out of my right ear and now had a steady stabbing pain in it. Jessi had been coughing since the day before. We checked in and were seen immediately. My diagnosis was sinus infection and ear infection. Jessi's diagnosis, a little surprisingly, was the beginnings of a double ear infection. We got our antibiotics and headed back to the condo. We took our first doses of medication and met up with Charlie, Betty and John at the pool (Tabytha had gone with my parents to Church). The rest of Sunday was spent at the pool and checking out the beach.
Monday was much of the same, except my dear friend and her family were also vacationing in NC the same week as us! She and her family meet up with us at our beach and our kids had a blast together! All of us splashing and playing in the ocean, laughing together and just having an all around great time. My friend and her family came up to our condo and had lunch with us. I intended to make soft tacos and was quickly replaced at the stove by my friend's husband who finished cooking the meat while I smeared bagels with cream cheese for some of the kids that didn't like soft taco's. Unfortunately after lunch my friend and her family had to head back to catch the ferry back to where they were staying, but, we had a great time together. Hubby, the kids, Betty and I went back down to the pool for a little while longer. Dinner was at my parent's condo where were greeted with a feast! Mom made salad, spaghetti, homemade meat sauce (with cracked eggs cooked in the sauce - my FAVORITE) and garlic bread and a German Chocolate cake for dessert. You'd think with 12 people there wouldn't be any leftovers, especially when many of us had seconds, but, there was a little sauce and spaghetti left after we were all sufficiently stuffed. After dinner we enjoyed more conversation and time with each other before we headed back to our condo to get the kids to bed. Around 11pm we asked my mother-in-law if she didn't mind Charlie and I taking a walk out on the beach to star gaze. (There was a meteor shower and I was hoping to catch a glimpse). She didn't mind staying behind with the kids, who were all fast asleep. Charlie and I walked to the beach to enjoy the sound of the crashing waves, the cool breeze and starry night. How fortunate for us that we ran into my sister, Bethany, who was coming out to the beach to also catch a glimpse of the meteor shower. She went back real quick to her condo (which was a little closer to the beach than ours was) to get a couple extra camping chairs for Charlie and me. The three of us sat on the beach staring up at the sky and chatting away. Bethany and Charlie saw the first couple streaks in the sky (I was busy wiping away ocean mist from my glasses). About 20 minutes went by before I finally saw one. We sat out on the beach together for about an hour watching the sky.
Tuesday Charlie, Betty and I had plans to meet up with my parents and sisters to go to Myrtle beach and enjoy a day at the "Family Kingdom Amusement Park". We got down there to find out the amusement park didn't open until 4pm and it was only 10:30am! Tabytha had driven down with my parents and youngest sister, Hannah and my other sister, Bethany, rode with us. My parents didn't want to wait around until the park opened up and decided to head back to the condo (with Hannah and Tabytha) to go out on the beach, play in the pool and go play miniature golf. We decided to stay (since we'd driven an hour to get there) and Bethany stayed with us. We passed a place that takes people on helicopter rides, so we went back there to check it out. My mother-in-law, Betty, did not want to go up in a helicopter and happily stayed on the ground while I got myself, Charlie, John, Jessi and Bethany signed up and paid for. We had to be split up because the helicopter could only hold 4 people and one was the pilot. Charlie and John went together and Jessi, Bethany and I went together. Our names were called and we were shuttled to the helipad. Charlie and John were first to go up. Next up was Jessi, Bethany and me! We were so excited. We got in our seats and up we went. Jessi got to sit next to the pilot. The pilot took us over the ocean and along the coastline. We had a lot of fun and saw some beautiful scenery. The ride was over much sooner than we wanted, but, we met up with the rest of our group and headed off to lunch. After lunch we actually went to a small used car dealer and bought a suburban (after the 13 hour trip with 6 people and a week's worth of luggage, beach supplies and linens with no AC you realize how cramped a minivan can actually be). The dealership couldn't afford to buy our van from us, so, we're stuck with that for the time being. The rest of our time would be traveled in air conditioning! By the time we were done with the paperwork for the suburban the Amusement Park was ready to open for the evening. We made it back and got the kids wristbands for unlimited rides and a book of tickets for us grownups to go on a few rides with the kids or by ourselves. Bethany and I went on the big roller coaster together :) We spent about 5 hours at the amusement park and I'm fairly certain John and Jessi rode EVERY ride they were tall enough to get on. It was a blast! Bethany treated Jessi to an ice cream and Betty treated John to popcorn at the end of the night. The last thing we did before we left was the Ferris Wheel. Charlie, Betty, John and Jessi rode back to the condo in the comfort of the new air conditioned suburban while I chose to drive the van and Bethany was kind enough to keep me company.
Wednesday we checked out the Planetarium and got to see a laser show in the morning. Then we headed to a little place I had been to as a kid called "Calabash". It's like an enclosed 'flea market' of sorts and it's nothing particularly special, just a place to find some neat trinkets, souvenirs, tee shirts, post cards and such. After Calabash we went back to the condo, played in the pool, had dinner and then went to the local North Carolina Museum. The local fire dept was there, too! Tabytha, John and Jessi got to use the hose and spray into the pond. Inside the museum were displays filled with shark jaws, whale bones, local animal displays and even a "Touch Tank" where people are encouraged to explore a man made pond with their hands. Inside the tank was a horseshoe crab, blow fish, hermit crabs, starfish and ocean vegetation. The kids had a lot of fun with the several "hands on" displays in the museum.
Thursday was pretty much spent at the pool or on the beach. We got a few rain showers, but, spent the day just being with each other and relaxing. I made dinner for the 6 of us, plus my parents, sisters, Grandma and great Aunt. I made cheese stuffed meatloaf, mashed potatoes and rice. My mother-in-law bought a cheesecake sampler for dessert for everyone to enjoy. After my parents, sisters, grandma and great aunt went back to their condo we kicked back and relaxed in the condo watching some TV before going to bed.
Friday was pretty much a wash out due to rain. The morning was dry enough to head out to the pool for a little while. Charlie took Tabytha to the pier to go fishing, I walked the beach and collected sea shells, Betty, John and Jessi hung out at the pool. By lunch time the rain had come and didn't show signs of letting up. We went back to the condo and I did some laundry and started packing up. The rain got us thinking that we'd just leave that night instead of waiting around, going to bed and waking up super early to get on the road. So, the beds were stripped and linens packed up along with our clothes in their suitcases. The van and suburban were loaded up and around 6:30pm we said our goodbyes to my parents, sisters, grandma and aunt Joan and headed down the road. Charlie drove the van with his mom keeping him company while I drove the suburban with the kids. This time the ride wasn't as long and there was no traffic to be found going through Virginia. The kids slept for a few hours during the drive and we arrived home around 3am. We didn't bother unloaded any of the luggage (except for the toiletry bag so we could all brush our teeth before heading to our beds). The kids were tucked in, my mother-in-law went off to bed (in the bottom bunk in Tabby's room) and Charlie and I chatted a little bit with our friend who stayed at our house during the week to take care of our dog, Bo. It was a little after 4am before Charlie and I finally headed to bed.
It was a fantastic week filled with so many fun and exciting things. I'm certain Tabytha will remember all the fun we had and I'm pretty sure John will be able to remember many of the fun things we did. Jessi may have vague memories as she grows up and I know that I will never forget this week! (taking over 100 pictures will help when I'm old and dementia sets in, lol!). The thing I especially loved is the fact that I'd been to Ocean Isle a couple times as a child with my parents and siblings and now having this chance to go back with my own children made it even more special. I had the unique opportunity to experience this vacation through two vantage points. I could relate to the excitement of my children going to this great place because I remember how exciting it was being a kid and going there and now, as a parent, I can understand my parents point of view in watching my children enjoy being there just like my parents saw my brother and I as kids. What an added blessing it was to have my Grandmother, Great Aunt, my parents, sisters and my husband's mother with us as well! You couldn't ask for anything better!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Birthday Beach Weekend
When we got into the water park I applied sunblock to everyone. The kids were ready to go. Tabytha went off to do water slides she likes, Charlie took John on water slides he was tall enough to go on and Jessi and I spent the day in the kiddie pools and small water slides. We always have a great time while we're there. This year I was able to enjoy a lap around the lazy river :)
After nearly 5 hours at the water park it was time to head back to the apartment we were staying at. Everyone got cleaned up and we went out to dinner. Once our bellies were full Charlie, the kids and I found our way to the inlet to have some fun at "Trimpers", a small amusement park the kids love! Trimpers has dozens of rides and roller coasters designed for young children. John and Jessi always have a great time when we go. Tabytha is old enough (and tall enough) to go on the grownup rides and roller coasters. She was able to go on a couple by herself. She and I always go on one particular roller coaster together, it's "our thing" to do at Trimpers. Charlie isn't much on roller coasters so he pretty much just watches the kids from the sidelines. I'm ever present with my camera and finger on the trigger watching the kids squeal with delight and have fun.
It was late when we were done at the amusement park and went back to the apartment for some shut eye. Saturday was spent at Tower Beach playing in the sand and splashing in the ocean. Jessi doesn't like going in the ocean and likes to spend her time at the beach playing in the sand. John and Tabytha both love splashing around in the ocean with Charlie. I'm content to sit under the shade of the canopy and relax watching everyone have a good time.
I used up the film in the disposable camera and had it developed a couple days after we got home. Not all the photo's turned out as nice as I'd hoped, but, that's how it goes sometimes when you use a film camera rather than a digital. I still love film cameras and did get some pretty good pictures of the kids while we were at the water park and the beach.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
4th Of July Fun
Last year and this year Charlie's been part of the 4th of July parade with the fire dept in Smyrna, DE. So, we've had that to do. After the parade we come home and enjoy splashing around in the pool to keep cool. We do burgers and hot dogs on the grill and usually a friend or two will stop by and hang out with us.
The past 3 years we've gotten our own "Fireworks" to do in our front yard. It's a lot of fun having our own personal firework show. The kids laugh and squeal as the fireworks burst with showers of light. I always sit back and take pictures and Charlie (along with whoever is hanging out with us) set them up and light them. I really like our little tradition. Because it's ours and not something we share with hundreds of other people. It makes it just a little more special and I hope these are some of the things my kids will look back on and smile at when they think back on their childhood and remember how we did the 4th of July.
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