Girls!

So I need some of you "old hand" parents to answer this question. Does every little girl go through phases of acting out? Of acting like their mom (in particular) is the meanest person on the planet?

Why do girls act like that? Do boys act the same way? I know Madgette has to learn about responsibility, but does it have to be so hard? She was required to clean her room today, which I must say she had trashed rather well. She was determined to play instead of clean her room. So when the Razorback and I took the dogs for a short walk, she wasn't able to go. Why? Because her room wasn't clean. (Does that sound unfair or unjust to anyone else- or just if your 6?)

She told me I was mean, then tore up a picture she had drawn for me and told me "That WAS for you" on her way to put it in the trash. Oh my goodness! That child can be so sweet and wonderful, but when she changes her mind she can be the most hateful child.

So, do any of you have any suggestions?

MIscellaneous Information

Momma Pug has inspired me with her random facts so I thought I would do random facts and general updates as follow ups for what is happening in our lives.

• The Razorback traded the motorcycle for an '85 camaro. It is not in great condition, but it is not a motorcycle which makes me happy.
• The Razorback purchased a '94 Toyota Four Runner. He is happy and it actually runs.
• The lesson in the classroom went well, except I planned to much for the amount of time that I actually had.
• I am SUPER excited about going to Austin next week for the TCEA conference.
• Julie is going to stay with my friend and best HS drama teacher ever- Tree
• Madgette is going to stay with another teacher in my building and her daughter who also goes to Madgette's school. These little girls ride the bus together every morning. However, I am not real comfortable with Madgette's arrangement, so pray for her, the family that will be keeping her, and me. (Anyone want to get out of AR? There's no ice here and you could have my bed...)
• I have 2 MRI's scheduled for tomorrow. The UTI and kidney infections are gone, but the tailbone is still hurting. Trying to find out why.
• Got asked to work the music portion of VBS for this summer. Of course I said YES- that is SO much fun!!!
• Got a text from my middle brother tonight saying that my 93 year old grandad is back in the hospital with bi-lateral pnuemonia.
• Really need to clean house this weekend to get it ready for us to be gone all week. Catfish-want to drop by a feed dogs for us Wed. and Thur? (Phruitz can you ask her since she doesn't read my blog?)
• Waiting anxiously for my first real course for my principal certification to be opened. What is taking them so long?!

I guess that is all for now. Have a fantastic Friday everyone!

Over Achievers

Does everyone have a little bit of an overachiever buried deep down in them? Or are some of us just blessed with a little extra helping?

I am going back into the classroom tomorrow to teach a science lesson and of course will be using technology during it also. But, I am such an overachiever I want it (totally expect it) to go completely perfect. I have planned group activities, whole group experiments, video clips, and a short quiz with a classroom response system (remote controls for each student). I am really looking forward to it, and hope that this will be a lesson that also motivates the teacher I will be modeling it for.

I want to be effective and motivating in everything I do. A collegue kindly pointed out for me this morning that I was anal. Maybe so... or maybe I was just given a little extra helping of overachiever!

TGIF

We have all heard the phrase from time to time, but the end of the school day today just could not come fast enough. I truly love my work, but this week has been insanely crazy. Starting with the ER visit, then the inauguration and all the logistics of 700 kids watching it, the Razorback getting sick, Madgette performing in front of the school board, and Julie's first tennis match.
The kids acted today like they had no idea what the word "whisper" meant, much less "be quiet." They were ready for the weekend, and so was I. Fortunately, the Razorback is no longer running a fever which makes us all happy. We have no plans this weekend except the quarterly gathering of the FC transplant club plus a few other weirdo's who fit into our odd little fray (hi tree!)
There really is something to be said for a weekend without plans. We are all really looking forward to our chance to be bums!

Hello Doc!

For the first time today I am sitting up and somewhat coherent. I have had pain in my lower stomach area since Friday night. Saturday is kept hurting, but not to bad. Sunday was a whole other ballgame. I felt like my uterus was about to fall out everytime I got up to walk. By Sunday night, I was ocassionally double over by stabbing pain. The Razorback decided it was time to make me go to the ER. We went to the one closest to our house, but as we drove up we could see that it was absolutely packed, so we made the decision to go to the next closest ER which was in Kingwood. We pulled up and thought, "Great, this one only has a few people! We will get in here pretty quickly!"

Well, to make a long story short, 5 hours later we made it back to see a Doctor. I had finally laid down on 2 chairs pushed together and the Razorback gave me his jacket to use as a pillow and secured me a heated blanket. When they finally came out and called us, the Razorback woke me up and we moved to a bed. The nurse named Joel was very nice, and gave me a freshly warmed blanket. We were able to watch the 3 a.m. version of "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and a odd little doctor came in. I tell you- this Dr. could not have been any older that 26- he was a child.
He came in and says, " Hello, pyelonephritis my name is Dr. McLaughlin" and shakes my hand. He finally broke it down to say that everyone has a little bacteria in their kidneys, but mine looked like the salmon trying to swim upstream. The bacteria had gotten from the urinary tract and infected both kidneys. I will save the graphic details as they were a little gross.
They hooked me up to an IV and blasted me with a bag of fluid, a seriously strong antibiotic, an awesome pain medicine, and an anti-nausea medicine to back up something else.
They released me this morning around 6 with strict instructions to see my primary care physician in 2 days and if it was not cleared up to pack my bags to be admitted to the hospital. Also, if I got really bad again before the primary care visit to report back for admittance.

So, I have spent most of the day passed out on the couch. My family has kept going today as normal- filling prescriptions, etc. I know the Razorback is exhausted. He needs to go to bed. I love him very much and am very thankful I have him to take care of me. I think we will all go to bed early tonight, because we are all supposed to go back to school tomorrow.
Just another day in the life of the Madge...and a Half family.

What Does the Future Hold?

I sometimes marvel at the fact that the Razorback and I have already been married for 9 years. We have both changed each other for the better over these years. He has decided to go back to school and get a formal education rather than his education from the school of hard knocks. I am so proud of him. Since he has made this decision, he has applied himself and has a 4.0! Did I say I was SO proud of him?
Madgette is turning into the performer this year. You would think she was going to a magnet school for theater arts! If I had to tell you what she will be when she grows up (based on her actions at this moment) I would tell you she was going to be an award winning movie star that is adored by her audience. Thank goodness I know she will change many times before she is grown up and has to choose a career. Does anyone else ever wonder what their child will be when they grow up?
As for me, I am extremely happy where I work. I have my Master's degree and am working on my principal certification. Who would have ever thought I would follow in my father's footsteps? I definitely didn't! Hopefully in the future I will secure a position as an AP and eventually (not anytime soon) a head principal.
The future looks bright for our family--by this Christmas The Razorback will have his certification and his Associate's. Madgette will be a year older, and I will be a happy momma! The only other thing that I can hope is that our plans will be the plans that God has for us.

And they all lived happily ever after.

The End

Another Day

My back was SO much better last week. When I went to bed Friday night, it was fine. When I woke up Saturday morning, I could barely get up. I tried to take it easy throughout the weekend, and went to work today like a normal working gal. By the time I had gotten to my second class I had to take a muscle spasm pill. I completed that class, ate my lunch, then went to cafeteria duty. By the time I went back to my classroom I was ready to call it quits. I finally gave up on doing any work and just laid down flat on the floor. I probably laid there for 15-20 minutes. The P.E. Coach walked in and says "What are you doing?" because I am sure I looked a little odd laid out on the floor.
When the Razorback came back to campus that afternoon he brought me some Ibuprofen to help with the inflammation and that did help. I was able to make it 'till the end of the day. He saw me out doing my car rider duty and fussed at me because he loves me. Tonight I had an appt. with the chiropractor and when I explained how I was hurting again, he examined me and told me if it doesn't get better and I "keep acting up" he would be sending me to get an MRI to see if there was something else going on.
That kind of scares me. But, so does the idea of having an SI joint injury. I have been reading about these injuries and the internet makes it sound like people never get over this. People are online talking about getting shots in the joint, having their pelvis screwed into their spine, having nerves burned away every few years, etc. All of those things are extremely scary to me. So when you go to say your nightly prayers, please pray for my back/spine. I am very worried and still hurting...

New Beginnings!

Since my oldest, bestest friend Momma Pug decided that it was time for my header to be changed I figured it should be accompanied by a new blog. So here goes--

Momma Pug is one of the most creative people I know. If you are a frequent reader of her blog you are aware of how many things she comes up with. She draws, sews, writes, and many other things. Actually, the only thing I can think of that she cannot do is replace toilets and sheetrock.

Home maintenance actually may be the only thing I bring into this relationship. Well, that and a really cute, sassy little girl. Let's be brutally honest here-If I had just met MP I would probably have been intimidated by her. She is self-confident, funny, creative, and has a very giving heart for humans as well as animals. She is also very lucky to be married to a man who adores her-- exactly as she deserves. He is obviously in love with her, and she with him.

So, if you need creative services contact Momma Pug. She can totally hook you up. But, if you need a best friend- go find your own. Please don't steal mine-- I love her too much!

New Certification

Just wanted to update everyone that I have finally made the payment to begin my principal certification program. If I understand all the rules correctly, I can be done with all my coursework by the end of August. They will provide me with a certificate of eligibility so I can begin looking for an administration position for next year.
I feel like I could use my skills and love for kids to help benefit the educational community where I teach. My district is opening up 2 new schools next year. A middle school and an early childhood center, so there will probably be a shuffling of current AP's to head principal positions. My hope is that I can secure one of the AP positions and begin to learn from some of our amazing principals. I would absolutely LOVE to be able to stay in my current building. I would love to learn even more from my current principal. She is amazing!
Anyway, just thought I would let everyone know so you can help me stay motivated. I need to complete one course per month- so please help me be accountable!

Love to you all!

Writing Under Durress

I am currently contemplating what I should write about since I am under extreme durress about not having posted in 2 days. Should I write about the latest experience with the salt water tank The Razorback is building? Nah- to many posts about him lately. Should I write about my hip still hurting, but the ability to walk returning? Nah- don't feel like it.



I think perhaps I should write about Madgette. How full of everything she is- sh**, joy, music, a desire to please, and peace. We all know I had a few issues growing up, and that to this day I am a little bit of a control freak and a little anal. (No comments MP!) But seeing that little girl every day just brings joy to my heart. I completely understand now what my grandma "mom" meant when she would tell me, "I love you- I would just DIE if anything happened to you!"



Now mom was a little dramatic in her own Southern way, but I had no doubt that she meant that with every cell in her body. However, I never truly understood how that emotion felt. As a mother, I completely understand. As I watch the evening news and see children being kidnapped, mistreated, and murdered I better comprehend what mom meant when she said she would just die if anything happened to me. It makes me very grateful that I had someone in my life who was willing to express her love to me that often and openly.



That is one of my goals in life. To ensure that my daughter has no doubt in her mind that she is loved, valued, and wanted. I want her to grow up to be a respectful, well mannered, well rounded, outgoing young lady. Just the way that mom wanted me to be.