82: Book Worm

I love to read. Always have. I have been making time to read more, since I really enjoy it so much. The only problem is...once I start reading, if I get really into the book, I can't put the book down. For example...Redeeming Love, GREAT book. So good, that even though my children were all asleep, I stayed up until 2:30 the other night, actually morning, to finish. If you love Christian Fiction, I highly recommend this story. The love story paralells God's love for his children, and is based on the book of Hosea. It is now on my favorites list.

I also read 29 Gifts. This book is about learning to life a lifestyle of giving to others, and follows a lady that starts living this lifestyle for 29 days. It was a good, quick, easy read, and made me really think about intentional giving to others. Not necessarily monetary gifts...a note, giving of your time, baking cookies, or just doing favors for people.

I am now reading Shepherding a Child's Heart.

67-71: Our Computer Crashed

We primarily use Blake's work lap top and Ipad for internet access, and Blake's lap top that is provided by the County crashed Monday. It is really hard to blog on the Ipad, so until we get a new lap top, my blog entries may be less frequent. Hopefully, it will be fixed pretty soon. We really had a pretty simple and relaxing week. It was yucky and rainy part of the week. We hung out at home, had a play date, I organized our bedroom closet, sold books at McKays, and donated a bunch of items to charity. I went running on Tuesday. I won five free hair bows in a Facebook contest. I think Jackson has given up napping, but Claire is sleeping all night. She also is rolling over from her tummy to her back (3-6-11). I am thinking of buying myself a new Easter dress...I have worn the same one for a couple of years in a row. Maybe our computer will be fixed soon!

Pray for Japan. The devastation they are experiencing is heartbreaking.

Starbucks Sad

Friday night, Blake took me out on the town for a date. My favorite date is going out for coffee and dessert. Dessert is not an option, but I have found a drink that I can somewhat enjoy: Sugar Free Decaf Iced Caramel Latte. Unfortunately, I don't think the Starbucks employees enjoy making this delicacy for me...I think they think I am a diva. But, in reality, I am just following the rules. Nevertheless, the markings on my cup made me giggle. And, if I am paying 4 bucks for a drink, I don't think they should complain too much.

Ode to Starbucks

Dear Starbucks,

It is going to be a long 10 weeks without you. I so enjoy rolling through the drive thru window and partaking in your sweet goodness after a day of grocery shopping and running errands. I look forward to seeing you every Friday, and sometimes on our occasional midweek visit. But, you remember the drill from about 2.5 years ago, so I will see you again with Baby Claire in the backseat. No more sweet treats for a while....gotta keep me and my girl healthy.

Love,

Alisha

In case you are wondering, I failed (bombed) my glucose test. I have gestational diabetes again....I start testing 4 times per day today. I am praying it will be as easy to keep under control as it was with Jackson. Please pray that it is, too! (And you might want to sneak Blake and Jackson a sweet treat every once in a while. I found Blake's ice cream bowl in the sink this morning...he was so sweet to sneak while I was sleeping!)

Happy 30th Birthday...to Me!

Monday was my 30th birthday. I remember when I was a little girl I thought that sounded so old...and I wondered what 30 year olds did for fun. I remember thinking that I thought getting older would be so boring. But, as I find myself here...I am a happy, blessed woman of God, and far from bored! Thanks to all of my great friends and sweet family for all of the birthday wishes. It was truly a special day.

The day started off with me going to work, and watching Jackson sing "The Wheels on the Bus" at the Pre-K promotion. He was beyond thrilled to be performing...can you tell??

Blake arranged a small, little party at P.F. Changs for the evening. Great food, sweet family, good friends, cake, and some presents (including Starbucks gift cards)! What more could a girl ask for?

Robin, I never realized how much taller I am than you until the picture below. I think I even had on flip flops.

Made my Day!

Most people know that I was a teacher before I had Jackson, and went back to the classroom and taught some last year. All in all, I taught elementary school for about 8 years. The last 4 years, I taught 2nd grade for three years, and had a short tenure in 4th grade last Spring, at a school that is really close to my house. Prior to that expereince, I taught 3 years of third grade in a school downtown. My first year of teaching was quite an experience. Here are the variables that I feel made it a bit more interesting, and perhaps, more challenging than most:

• I was hired when I was 21, and began a full time teaching job shortly after my 22nd birthday. I just looked like a pushover. But, they learned quickly I am not.
• I started teaching in a brand new school with a brand new faculty.
• I started my school year with no materials. No math book. No reading book. All I had were desks and chairs.
• Oh, and my other 3rd grade cohort was a brand new teacher, too. Needless to say, we became best buds, fast.
• I had no idea what in the world I had gotten myself into.
• That classrooom of students had some behavior issues that I had no idea how to even begin to deal with.

Anyway, long story short, all of those things in the long run (after many tears, and not wanting to go to work for the first 180 days of my career), probably made me a better teacher. I also taught some really special kids, and I often wonder how they are doing (especially the kids I had the first year, bless their hearts!)

Sunday night, Blake had some paperwork laying on the table from work, and I, being the nosy person I am, started looking through it, and found a sibling's name of one of my favorite students I taught downtown. I mentioned to Blake that I taught such and such's sister, and talked about how my I loved this particular student.

Blake mentioned to the sibling that I asked about her sister, and today the former student (who is probably a sophomore in high school) wrote me a letter that simply made my day!

Here is the letter:

Hey Mrs. Ricks/Freeman!

I am sooo glad to hear from you again after all these years. I actually thought that you had forgot about me for a minute, but I guess not. When I heard you asked about me, I was very happy to know that you still remember me. I found out that you are still a teacher. Where do you teach now? And what grade do you teach? I miss you sooo much! You were my favorite teacher, not only because you made me laugh, but because you taught me alot even though I gave you some hard times during my third grade year, and I thank you for that.

P.S. Well, write back PLEASE to let me know how you are doing and what you think about the letter!

Love,

Student (I don't want to give away her identity!)

Some days when I taught, I remember thinking the ceiling tiles were the only things listening to me, and it is nice to know that maybe they were listening (and watching) more than I thought!

Mine, Not Yours

Our little guy, Jackson, continues to teach me more about life, each and every day. His baby days are slipping by (too fast), and he is quickly approaching full blown toddlerhood. With that comes lots and lots of Jackson craving independence, and him staking out his territory on pretty much everything. He wants to do everything himself. He says, "My turn." "Jackson do it, Mommy." His latest saying is, "Mine, not yours." This is typically while he is snatching something out of my hand, off the floor, out of his diaper bag. Everyone probably knows the behavior I am talking about. The other day I was playing Hot Wheel cars with Jackson, and he grabbed the car out of my hand, and said "Mine, not yours." I thought to myself, you little turkey. Then, I started thinking about my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I wonder how many times in my life, I hold onto things....doubt, fear, anxiety, and hold onto matters I have no control over. Sure, I will pray about matters and lay situations at His feet....and pick them right back up again, almost like I am saying, "Lord, that is mine, not Yours." God desires for me to be totally dependent on Him, and for me to say, "I am Yours." He really wants to have my worries, anxiety, my family, and my future. I really do want to give Him everything..... Everything is His, not mine! So, that is my prayer.

"My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart." Psalm 7:10

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:30

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thankgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

New Years...Self Improvements?

I am not really a person that makes New Years' Resolutions,they overwhelm me, but I do love the start of a brand new year. I get excited thinking about what God is going to do with our family in the upcoming year, and am so grateful when I reflect and think about all He has done for us in the previous years.

There are a few thing that I want to improve on in my own life, and really all of them are a constant work in progress. I want to know God more. I want to spend more time praising Him, reading His word, and trusting Him. I want to spend more time teaching Jackson about Him, and pray with more with my husband. I am trying to memorize more scripture.

I want to take better care of myself. Not so much to lose weight (that would be a nice benefit), but to just be healthier. I want to make healthier decisions in our diet, get to the gym more, and exercise. I want to stop thinking of my health in terms of the perfect jean size, or the number on the scale, and just take care of this almost 30 year old body.

I am STILL trying to get our house organized. It is a work in progress. We donated 8 garbage bags of clothes, household items, etc. last week, and threw lots of things away. The last one is kind of silly, but I really want to keep my car clean. It has literally been a struggle since I turned 16...I couldn't keep the Beretta, Escape, or Pontiac clean. Now the Pilot has stale Cheerios, sippy cups, and mismatched socks in the back seat, and I really want to try to keep it clean. So, Blake that one is for you, too!

I have have also rediscovered, after a 2 year hiatus, my LOVE for reading! I am already on my second book of the year. Woo Hoo!!

Seriously?

Okay, okay. I am normally not the ranting type, but this week, two very odd things have happened in the land of motherhood. My reaction time was a bit delayed on both, and maybe next time I will be a bit better prepared.

Situation #1:
On Tuesday, I met Melissa and Abby, at Chik fil A. After a nice lunch, we headed down the mall play area. The novelty of the play area seems to be wearing off for Jackson since he has discovered the "transportation area" to the left of the play area (the cars, trucks, etc. that you pay to ride, but Jackson doesn't know that they really move, area). Anyway, Melissa and Abby continued to play in the play area while Jackson was climbing and playing around on the cars. I noticed a lady and possibly, 2-3 year old twins were doing the same thing. After a few minutes, the lady looks at me and says, "Hey, I am going to run my packages out to the car. I will be back in a few minutes." And off she goes down the mall. What in the world? Who does that? I yell across the mall to Melissa, and explain the ordeal. She is cracking up, and then says, "Oh my, what if she doesn't come back?" Wow. Didn't even think about that. I was seriously, speechless and thoughtless! What am I supposed to do? Sure enough, a few minutes later, this mother/grandmother/or relative yanks the two kids up by the arm, and starts walking out to the car, and looks at me and says, "Oh, thanks!"

Situation #2:
Now this just made me mad! Today, I was strolling through Target, and some random lady walks up to my cart, as if she were inspecting the contents of it. Hmmm, Huggies and Zip Loc bags, not too exciting. She then looks at me, and in her teacher voice, says, "I really wish you would use the strap on the seat, and buckle your baby up." I think to myself, I really wish you just would shut up and leave me alone. I know, that is not very nice. She rambles on about this story, about how her daughter in law didn't use the straps, and her grandson fell out, and hit his head, and got a concussion, and how she wishes I would just use the straps. Are you kidding me? I just came to buy diapers, lady. I mean, I am really sorry that happened to your grandson, but are you now on the safety board for cart patrol at Target? I may not be Mother of the Year, but I don't think I am totally inept, either. I have seen parents do some pretty crazy stuff to their children, but I don't really feel like it is my place to tell them what to do with their baby, I mean, its not like I left Jackson with a stranger in the mall play area so I could take packages out to my car! So, all you idiot mommies out there that don't use the safety straps , buckle those babies up!

Has this crazy stuff happened to anyone else?

I Love You

Friday night, I was sitting in the rocking chair with Jackson, right before I layed him down....Every once in a while, right before he goes to sleep, he will be still for a few minutes, and let me hold him! He was being so sweet...He has always liked to play with my hair, and he grabbed a strand of my hair, and said, "Mommy, pretty." I said, "Jackson, that is so sweet. I love you." He looked up at me, and said, "I love you." That was the first time he has said those words, and I will never, ever forget. I thought my heart would melt!

Planner Time

I finally bought a planner last week! I have been 2 hours early to a hair appointment, and realized that was supposed to have Jackson at a picture appointment about 45 minutes beforehand. I have always been pretty scattered about dates and appointments, so I am hoping that this will help.

Our First Date

(We don't have a scanner, forgive this incredible photo op, of sorts).

Our First Date: September 15, 2000

Location: Station House Restaurant, followed by Clumpie's Ice Cream and Stroll on the Walnut Street Bridge
Event: Phi Beta Chi Fall Formal Event
I knew he was the one when he sent flowers the weekend following our date. He didn't tell me his family owned a florist until weeks later, for fear of me thinking he had received a discount.
We look like such babies!


This picture was taken before:
-we had our teaching license (maybe that is why we look so young!)
-we graduated from UTC
-we had our "big kid" jobs
-we had car payments
-Blake had bought an engagement ring and rehearsed a proposal
-the real "Big Day," to follow 4 years later
-we paid rent, and later a mortgage
-I had a domestic bone in my body
-that dress became too tight :)
-this guy

"Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare."

Psalm 40:5

I Read a Book!

I used to be an avid reader. But, to be perfectly honest, I haven't made time to sit down and read in a while. Over the summer, I decided that this needed to be a priority! I love to read! So far, I have read Crazy Love, and tonight I finished The Happiest Toddler on the Block. I actually bought the book several months ago, when my sweet little newborn suddenly became a little toddler that was beginning to hit, say no, have separation anxiety, and throw fits when he was being put into his car seat, stroller, etc. (Sorry grandparents, but it is true). The book had some really good techniques that have worked, and some that were a little out there for me (just my opinion). And, of course, some of the things that work on one day, don't necessarily work the next day. I think my next read is going to be something mindless, ....maybe a love story, or something. Just an Alisha book.

Labor Day Eve

We have been BFFs since we were eight years old.
We met in Mrs. Flynn's third grade class.
I took her 1/3 of our BFF necklace when she made me mad, and lied to our teacher and said I didn't.
We both read Nancy Drew books, and liked to write.
We had little girl squabbles that were just not nice.
We are as different as can be in some ways, but so alike in so many others.
We giggled about shaving our legs for the first time, and celeberated the awkwardness of middle school together.
She caught her hair on fire while blowing out the candles on her 13th birthday.
We went through band camp together.
We went to TCBY after school when we got our first cars and ate yogurt.
She told me I would marry Blake when we were in 11th grade.
We worked at Chuck E. Cheese together.
She brought me a banana milkshake when I had my wisdom teeth removed.
She supported me through college, and came to my graduation party.
She came and helped me pack before I went on a mission trip to Costa Rica.
She came to my grandad's funeral, just because she loves me. I will never forget that.
She stood beside me on my wedding day.
She was one of the first to know I was pregnant (and I didn't even tell her, she just knew).
She has encouraged me and had faith in me when sometimes I didn't.
She drove to the hospital from out of town, 35 weeks pregnant, to visit me in the hospital.
We text messaged at all hours of the night for the first year of our boys' lives.
She is awesome, and yesterday, she shared a little miracle with me, and I will never forget it.
I love you, Tiffany! And Lainey, well, she is just perfect.

Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loveth at all times"