Memories by grade, part 2

8th Grade, Von Steuben Middle School

This year changed my life. After being such a disappointment to all of my teachers and parents acedemically. Everything clicked this year. I even excelled in band and choir. Damon and I also ran an after school bible study once a week.

1. I was not "dumb" anymore. I think the curriculum was so far behind what I already knew, it was a relief to actually take a year to "review" everything. Everyone actually thought I was smart!

2. I loved being in band and choir. I excelled in the competitions and the teachers were very supportive and friendly. I actually was allowed to have fun during classes and performances.

3. I had my first boyfriend, but not for long. My only "date" with him was to see Heavy Weights and my dad sat between us the whole movie... how embarrassing!!


9th - 12th Grade, Richwoods Community High School, Health/Science Academy,
Mrs. Roddy, Miss Kapchinske, Mrs. McClain , Mr. Wong, and many more (Sr. Smith "Esmis")

I made many friends and came across a select few from my past at PCS.

I did not excel in band. I felt like a fool. I was never able to practice at home, so I was never good enough for more than last chair. The only fun part was marching band and when we played during basketball games, which Mr. Jirousek abhorred.

I excelled in the HSA. I was still considered "smart" by my class mates and easily made friends with my academy teachers (non-academy teachers were another story).

I climbed the ranks of HSA Government, eventually being President my senior year.

I was in the church Teen Choir and enjoyed having solos and going on tour once a year. I think this is what really helped me through high school the most. I was also in a girls chorus my junior year, but we only performed once. I was actually really surprised I even got into the "exclusive" little click. Guess they were surprised I could hold a tune throughout and entire song accapella :)

I got to drive my "BEEQUA-mobile" to school.

I babysat once for my spanish teacher, Mr. Smith.

I had 2 boyfiends during high school. One was my first kiss, who moved away to live with his dad, the other is now my husband :)

I always had to rely on my very good band friend to set me up with a date to all the dances, except for 4 of them. The first 2 of my hand picked dates were disasters, the last 2 were with Eric.

I held a job throughout high school as a child care provider on Wednesday nights and some school holidays for Mother's Day Out group at church.

I was both relieved and jealous that I never got to go to the youth programs with people my own age. Relieved because I didn't want to really hang out with the people that went to PCS, and jealous because they got to go on retreats and such, since most people at my church (and PCS) had doctors, lawyers, and such as parents. I would have never been able to afford that. Also everyone knew we rented from the church. If the retreats were leaving and I was home, I would secretly watch everyone pile into the charter buses out of my window, since we lived right next to the parking lot.

When I turned 16, I had 2 jobs so I could pay for Damon and I to have lunches at school and pay for my car insurance and gas. What ever was left over was for clothes I got at discount at Bergners and little outings with friends (which were far and few between).

I got a job at Subway to, I guess you could kind of call it stalking..., I had a crush on a guy that worked there. It really was a bad idea.

My next job was at Bergners. I will never work retail again. My feet killed me and I KNOW that I worked more than I was supposed to. No teen should be working past midnight.

The HSA led me to a job working in the Children's hospital. I am very greatful for my experiences there, but I could never do that again. It is just too emotional (and germy...).

My senior year I was able to go to college for 1/2 a day. I became a Certified Nursing Assistant. I was trained in a nursing home. I will never work in one of those ever again, but it did give me knowledge later to help take care of my Grandpa the last few days of his life.

My senior trip was to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I am really glad my Grandma had me saving what little I could from the time I started making money. I had such an awesome experience. Even though 90% of the people who went, went just because it was legal to drink down there. Not saying I didn't drink too, but I learned that was going to be the first and last time I was ever going to get drunk...

Pregnancy... The beginning

I have decided to use my blog to keep up with what I do during my pregnancies to stay healthy.

Since I am still nursing Grady and I am planning another homebirth, I must take responsibility for every action I do and do not make.

First, I take prenatal vitamins, which should be a given.

Second, I drink at least 8oz of Raspberry Leaf tea daily, from the day I find out I'm pregnant until a couple weeks after the baby is born.

Third, I eat the Brewer Diet http://www.bradleybirth.com/PD.aspx as closely as I can EVERYDAY. If you are planning a homebirth, you must be nourished throughout. This pregnancy should be very nourished, since I now make our own bone broths and we do not eat out more than 2 times a month.

As I progress through this pregnancy, I will get more in depth my thoughts on birthing and other issues.

False Negatives

I am so relieved that I am finally not going out of my mind as of this morning! After an error and 2 negative pregnancy tests, I finally got the positive result I knew it had to be.

I am so excited! It was a month earlier than planned, but a baby is a blessing. I think I can handle sharing a birthday month :)

Sewing adventures

As most of you know, I actually enjoy wearing skirts. So that was automatically what I learned to make first. I make the prairie type skirt, so that there are only 2 cuts to make and I can generally sew Tabitha one in about 20 minutes and me one in about 45 minutes, give or take.

Now I am venturing out a little. I am going to try my best to make peasant tops. The pattern can also be elongated to make "Little House on the Prairie" type night gowns and if you add an apron or smock, it is instantly a daytime dress also.

I received the pattern from a lady that sews modest clothing, and whom I have bought a few things over the internet from before, such as nursing dresses. I am so excited that I can make things for Tabitha and I to match. I can even make the tops long enough for maternity, WOO HOO! I am so tired of the mainstream maternity/nursing stores having abosolutely anything that I feel comfortable enough to wear.

When I was pregnant with Grady, I made myself maternity prairie skirts. I practically lived in them! So much more comfortable than the tight little skirts that Motherhood offers, that don't allow you to walk properly, let alone make you sit funny, just so you don't show everything to the world.

I am taking the pattern that I just recieved and copying it to felt, so that I will never have to worry about ripping a paper pattern or having holes all over. The pattern is sized xxs girls to 1x women. I just couldn't pass that up, since it only cost me $21.

I will post pictures and give updates once I start sewing a garment, but for now, my time will be copying onto the felt.