The rest of the DVR story....

So...do I need to remind you what yesterday was.....that's right DVR day! Our appointment was for 8-12 (like the first two times that were canceled) and at 11:23 the phone rings. In my head I am giving them the benefit of the doubt and thought oh directions they are calling for exact directions. Well, when I answered the phone the man on the other end starts the conversation with "well... (not a good sign). I instantly cut him off (as my blood pressure instantly soars) and I tell him that he better not be calling to tell me he wasn't coming, he sort of half nervously laughs and tells me indeed he is not coming this is his only scheduled day off and he just woke up and got a message that he was assigned to our house. Again I cut him off and ask for the phone number to call.
Once I dial the DISH number I get that stupid automated voice thing and I just scream into the phone, "I want to talk to someone!" (Apparently the computer hears that a lot because it started ringing again.) Sorry this is a long story feel free to stop reading. Once someone answers the phone I tell (or yell, whatever) my situation to two different people and demand that they find someone to come to my house TODAY. The second person puts me on hold to call the dispatch office. After he talks with them for a few minutes he tells me no one is available today I would need to reschedule, well that was not an option I explain to him and then I demanded that he give me the number to the dispatch office and I would do it myself, so he did.
Cassandra answered the phone at the dispatch office (oh that's right I totally wrote down every person's name I spoke to) and after I tell my situation for the third time that ends with ..."Who's fault is this and you will find someone to fix it today." She has the gaul to tell me that I didn't have to be so mean about it. What? You are telling ME how I should be acting? (Here's a word of advice...if someone is yelling about a situation that is completely screwed up and not directly yelling at you it is better to take the yellers side and tell them they have every right to be mad and it will be fixed immediately, NOT tell them to stop being mean.) Well, mean or not mean she found someone who was available to come out, yeah!! Sometimes it pays to be a little demanding (as long as it doesn't deal with food, that could end very badly for you.) So within two hours of getting my third cancellation call I was pausing live TV like a pro! Chalk one up for the good guys!!!!
BTW, I am not always a complete jerk, OK sometimes I am but not this time, I did call Cassandra back and tell her thank you for working hard to find someone.

Lack of posting

Sorry for the lack of posting. First week of school is always crazy, well and then Jeff through us for a loop on Saturday. (He's doing great BTW) Right now I feel completely emotionally and physically tired, but that shall pass soon. The girls are doing awesome. Here are some fun things about them...

LEXI: LOVES Kindergarten, which we all knew she would. She loves that I pack her lunch everyday, loves all of her special classes (computers/library, PE, music, art), loves her teacher (yesterday morning straight up took two pictures off the fridge that she drew for me and decided to give them to her teacher at school), and loves telling me all about her day. She is still praying every night that she will not have to pull a card, I hate to think, but her time is comin'. Today her teacher was telling me how cute and funny she is and how she really is right on track for skills, BUT, she also told me she was very close to pulling a card today for....you guessed it.....talking. She said Lexi is very sorry when she has to be reminded, but she quickly forgets. I had to tell her teacher that my younger daughter talks even more, if she can believe it.

GRACIE: To tell you about Grace and school I will just tell you that the second day of her being back when she walked into class all the students were seated for circle time but then when they saw her they all immediately jumped up and ran to hug her (yes all of them). I was then nicely told that next time I bring Grace, if the class has already started circle time just leave her with the other teacher to cause less of a distraction. (Sorry, I guess?) So far she has only been in time out once and that was for not shutting her mouth during circle time (go figure), but she hasn't hit anyone yet so that's at least a step in the right direction. She is so cute everyday when she is getting out of the car in the morning she looks at me and says, "Mom, I am gonna have an awesome day!" I just smile and say great that will make me happy.

So, that's about it for the last week or so with the kids. Jon and I have been dealing with usual beginning of the year stuff (new kids, crap IEPs transferring in from other districts, schedules not working, and a whole new school computer system to learn with no training), it's been "fun," to say the least. But, we are managing and every day seems to get a little better. However, right now I am almost hoping that the dish people call and cancel for the third time this Saturday so I have someone I can take all of my emotions out on. Oh, that would make me feel so much better. (OK, totally not nice I know, just keepin it real!) If you want to add the dish guy to your prayer list after Jeff I am sure he would appreciate it! :)

Oh, my sister, Alissa, celebrates her 32nd B-day tomorrow on the 20th, go over to her blog and wish her a great day.

First Day

This was taken a week ago on Gracie's first day back in the three-year-old class at preschool.Lexi, today on her first day of Kindergarten-nice pose.The girls today.This picture is for Lexi's friend Hillary Hines who really, really wanted to see her backpack.

Well, as suspected Lexi's first day of kindergarten was hardest on.....Gracie. Last night at open house you would have thought that Gracie was coming to kindergarten as well. She was so funny telling people how Miss Hanks (Lexi's teacher) was the best and she (Gracie) was coming to school here too, and she wasn't going back to preschool (uh, yea you are!) Obviously, Lexi was also excited as well, she just tends to hold her emotions in a little more. So today, before we left the house I told them to say bye to each other because Lexi was not getting out of the car when I dropped Gracie off at preschool. (I thought it would take that much longer for us to leave and I wanted a quick exit.) So they hugged and kissed and hugged again, and then Gracie started with the, "I want my sister!" I just changed the subject and scooted them out the door. Once in the car I told Grace how she had already been to preschool without Lexi on days that Lexi was sick and she was so big she didn't need anyone--this seemed to help. Once at preschool I had changed the subject to her new tennis shoes that she was wearing and how she needed to show her teachers how fast she could run, crisis diverted. Lexi was fine the whole time, well, except in the car when she started reminding Gracie how she was going to be by herself at preschool, I cut off the conversation immediately. Once it was time for me to walk Lexi to her room, game on. She started singing, "It's my first day of kindergarten, kindergarten, kindergarten. I love kindergarten. It's my first day." She sang that the whole five minute walk to her room. When people would ask her why she was singing and smiling she would say, "Because I am so excited!!" I dropped her off, took some pictures, and headed to help other kids off the bus completely tearless. (I know you're impressed but since she is on the same campus as me it's a little different then just sending her on the bus and letting her go.)

Lexi has a little girl in her class that was diagnosed with a noncancerous brain tumor. It is on her optic nerve so she can not see very well at all (nothing to do with her eyes). Well, since I am in charge of 504 plans in our district (accommodations needed for medical reasons) I told Lexi all about her yesterday, so today Lexi was a good friend and helper. It also was a good excuse to go and check on Miss Hanks' class during lunch, of course they (Lexi and the other little girl) were having awesome days, just as I was expecting. After school we went and picked up Grace and she too had a great day. It was so stinkin cute to listen to Gracie ask Lexi how kindergarten was. I LOVE listening to backseat conversations! So long story short, kids=wonderful first day, me/Jon=first day from hell! (I will not even get into it, just know computers are your friend and worst enemy, glad it's over.) Just now before bed when Lexi was saying her prayer she included, "....and please help us not to pull any cards." She is officially a schoolager!

Very quick Grace prayer from dinner tonight: The girls always take turns saying the prayer first, well, Lexi said it first last night and she was disappointed when I reminded her of this tonight. So Gracie goes to pray and here is exactly what she said, "Dear God, Thank you for this day. thank you for all of my family. Thank you that Lexi is not saying the prayer, um, well, I mean she is. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Nothing like rubbing it in that you get to go first during a prayer.

Tag-give me 5

I was tagged by my friend Connie, so here we go...

Where were you 5 years ago? Getting ready to start teaching preschool at O'Fallon CoC with my new born Lexi in tow.

What are 5 things on your to do list for today?
1. Church (I know it should not be on a "check list" but it is something I did today)
2. Swimming at people from church's pool
3. Lundry-not done
4. go to bed early
5. straighten house

What are 5 snacks you enjoy?
1. Reeses Peanut Butter cups
2. Jalapeno chips
3. ch. chip cookies
4. ice cream
5. nuts

What are 5 things you would do if you were a billionare?
1. pay of Camp's sewer/nurse's cabin project and next project and next project
2. Pay off house, truck, and student loans
3. pay off everyone else that I know's debt
4. quite job
5. vacation

What are five of your bad habits ?
1. finishing Jon's sentences (he hates this but it's so hard not to do)
2. eat too much
3. watching too much tv
4. too much computer
5. gossip (good and bad I know it's horrible)

What are five places you've lived?
1. Clarksville, MO
2. Hazelwood, MO
3. Searcy, AR
4. CapeGirardeau, MO
5. O'Fallon, MO

What are 5 jobs you've had?
1. Plant nursery worker
2. Catering supervisor (Gooooo ARAMARK)
3. Behavior Disorder teacher 7th grade
4. Preschool teacher
5. Process Coordinator/speech/language

OK, I tag.....Cheryl (get off facebook and blog)!!!! Anyone else who wants to play that has never done this tag feel free to join.

Lexi's first day of kindergarten is Tuesday, check back this week for update.

You have got to be kiddin' me!!!!!!!!!

Do you remember what today was suppose to be for me? Come on now you must remember this? Well, the phone just rang and the voice on the other end informed Jon that our equipment was not in stock!! Seriously? Again? Needless to say I am NOT HAPPY right now! I told Jon to get a costumer service number and when he spoke to them we got a $50 credit to our account. Whatever! That doesn't change the fact that I am still left here in 1985 for 2 more weeks!

Sleep over

Lexi has been asking to have a sleep over since some time last year. She was dying to have a friend or family member stay at her house. I remember that growing up, being excited to spend time with someone and yet stay within the comforts of your own home. So, when Kalista, Alissa's daughter, got to come and spend the night, Lexi and Gracie were beside themselves with excitement. The three of them had a great time, and actually played very well together.

I love this picture...Gracie has no idea that the water is pouring out just as fast as she is filling it.

Hangin' With the Fam

Even though the Earnhart Hotel was already busting at the seams with Matt's singing group, some of Blake's youth group (in town for a mission trip), and the Chicago Earnharts, we still managed to find some floor space (even the couches were taken) for air mattresses and we stayed the night after Matt's concert. It wasn't the most comfortable night sleep I got, but it was worth it to get to spend more time with everyone.

Ashley (Josh's girlfriend), baby Nicholas, Josh, and the girls

The girls with their Chicago cousin, Ella (I don't know why Gracie won't close her mouth.)
We didn't get to see much of Blake since he was in charge of his whole youth group from Ada, OK, but the girls were excited when he stopped by Wed. morning.
Cute
The girls had so much fun together. They have to soak each other up since we don't get to see them very often.
And of course the silly pose.