This weekend Kevin and I talked about how we wanted to stay in, relax, and just spend some quality time together. He was just getting off his two weeks of night shifts, so we really hadn't seen each other much over that time period. We planned on having a nice date night on Saturday, including dinner and a movie.
Friday afternoon, while I was at work we took the kids to the pool. While I was waiting for them to get dressed, I found a Better Homes and Garden magazine... my mind kept telling me to just walk away, but my heart grabbed it and started flipping through the pages. Soon my thoughts were filled with all the possibilities for our new "house".
That night Kevin and I ordered a pizza, watched one of our Netflix movies, and stayed up until about 1 am just talked. It felt great since we hadn't done that in forever! Of coarse during our conversation, I brought up my "ideas" of what I would like to fix for the house. This included painting our desk chair (Sorry Mom!) and painting a few canvases to add a new feeling to our walls. I also mentioned I wanted to try and find a chair for our bedroom - something to sit in to put your shoes on, or to just sit and read in. Kevin had a few things he wanted to do for his truck, so we made our list and hit the hay.
We somewhat slept in on Saturday, then headed to the exchange to see if they had a cheap chair. You see... the best part about the exchange is that it has a little something called "IN HOME lay-away". You put 10% down, then pay the remaining balance over 6 months, all while you get to enjoy your purchase in your own home. And the best part is there is no interest like a credit card! So anyways... I didn't find a chair...bummer. BUT, I did find a dining room table/chairs that were reasonably priced and I LOVED them. Kevin and I have been talking about how our next piece of furniture that we would but would be a dining set since we don't have anywhere for people to sit and eat when they come over. Well, you guessed it! We put it on hold, so we could think about it, while we ran into town to get everything else that we really "needed".
As we walked to the paint aisle at Walmart for a $1.25 can of black spray paint for my desk chair, I saw the REAL paint. I've been telling Kevin that if we are going to stay in this "house" for the next 3 years I really want to paint, so it will feel more like a home. And I guess we are stuck in this house for the next 3 years because that paint was just daunting and we ended up buying a gallon. Once that was in the cart, we decided that if we were going that far, we might as well get the wall mount for the TV that we have been debating on as well.
Needless to say...our weekend of a few DIY "art" projects turned into a full blown week-end warriors home makeover! I LOVE the paint color, and can't wait to finish painting the living room. We originally thought we were just going to paint two walls, but I love the color so much I'm ready to paint the rest of the room. We also got the TV mounted and it looks AWESOME! Oh, and did I mention... we got the dining room table! It was a great weekend, and the shocking thing was we didn't spend a ton of money and I already love our house 1000 times more! (except we already have new neighbors above us... ugghh... and the neighbors across the hall called the housing office today to complain about the dogs barking)
Now if we could just get some friend and family to come visit us to check out our new pad! But regardless... I will post pictures once I have enough energy to finish hanging last minute details on the wall.
On a more random note- today was my first day in the baby room! I had 5 kiddos today- all between 11-16 months. They were a hand full, but I LOVED every second of it! Starting Thursday, I will have a total of 8 kids in my room, so they will have to bring in another teacher, but I was told today that I am the head teacher of the "waddler" room!! :) YAY!! I feel very accomplished to be moving up this quickly, and I already have tons of ideas on how I want to redecorate the room. Now to start researching fun activities to do with such little guys.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Hmmm.....
Well, Well, Well... It has been a while! Sadly, my life has been pretty uneventful so I don't have anything fun or entertaining to write about these days. And to be quite honest, I am so worm out by the time I get home, I plop down on the couch and zone out for an hour or so, and then I get ready for bed (I know, I'm pretty pathetic since I go to bed at 9!) Not to mention, the past two weeks Kevin has been working nights, so I have been all alone! :( The nights that he is off I am trying to cherish my time with him, so the computer is pretty much off limits.
So, what is going on in the O'Connors lives right now? Hmm.... that's a tough one, but here goes!
And last but not least, and by far the most exciting piece of information... We are hoping to make it back to Texas in September!! My mom and sister are planning a trip to Vegas to go to a photography convention for Lauren. Once I heard about this, I told Kevin we had to meet up with them there! Ever since we drove through there on our move, I have fallen in love with that city. We are hoping we can fly into Vegas, spend 3 days there with my mom and sister, and then fly down to McAllen (our hometown). We would hopefully have about 6-7 days there, and we are hoping any friends/family that would like to see us, will meet us there. And besides being super excited about seeing all of our family, I can not wait to go to South Padre... I need some sand!!
So, what is going on in the O'Connors lives right now? Hmm.... that's a tough one, but here goes!
- We have been in Kodiak for about 2 1/2 months and gone from Texas for 3 months now (Wow...time is flying by!). I have had a few spurts of homesickness, but thankfully with my new busy schedule, I don't have much time to pout about it.
- Winston is in DESPERATE need of a haircut.
- The weather here is getting really freaking old! I would love for just a few days of nice sunny weather, and perhaps something above 55 degrees. It just makes me mad that I am having to wear a jacket in the middle of June... that is just not right! (People around here consider the weather "bipolar")
- I have been at my new job for almost 3 full weeks now. I got my first paycheck this week (woo hoo!!) and I also found out that I will be leaving the school aged summer camp after tomorrow to start working in the infant room. I'm actually pretty excited about this... I will be with the "waddler" age group- which has 7 babies between 8-11 months old.
- Kevin has been working on his truck alot lately, doing little things to help fix it up. It has become his newest hobby- and I can't complain. If it will keep that thing running, I'm happy!
- Kevin and I will be babysitting a complete strangers 7 month old baby twice between July 2-5. (Long story... I thought it was a little strange myself, but it is a friend of a friend and I'm actually really excited to spend some time with that little baby girl!)
- I am making more and more friends here, and although I miss my besties back home more than anyone could imagine, it feels great to know that I am already building a new little support system up here as well.
- I have been able to hike and see a lot of the "popular" places in Kodiak (while at work which is pretty nice!) and I can't wait to take Kevin, the pups, and my camera to check it out with me.
- We have still not seen a bear :( But there have been 3 sightings this week in base housing. Too bad it wasn't in our neighborhood...
- I bought my first piece of Kodiak "memorabilia" this past week. It is actually a hoodie that was on clearance at the exchange, and all it says is KODIAK, but I'm pretty much in love with it.... I feel like a local now! (I will have to post a picture soon)
- I'm still not crazy about our house, but since I don't have to spend every waking moment in it anymore, it is starting to grow on me. Although I do find myself daydreaming about moving into a house with a backyard all the time!
- Charlie has a new best friend (they just haven't met yet). We are trying to set up a playdate with another mini weenie dog a friend of ours has. His name is Yoshi (I know...I thought that was the cutest name ever too!)
And last but not least, and by far the most exciting piece of information... We are hoping to make it back to Texas in September!! My mom and sister are planning a trip to Vegas to go to a photography convention for Lauren. Once I heard about this, I told Kevin we had to meet up with them there! Ever since we drove through there on our move, I have fallen in love with that city. We are hoping we can fly into Vegas, spend 3 days there with my mom and sister, and then fly down to McAllen (our hometown). We would hopefully have about 6-7 days there, and we are hoping any friends/family that would like to see us, will meet us there. And besides being super excited about seeing all of our family, I can not wait to go to South Padre... I need some sand!!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
What's on YOUR plate?
I remember playing this game during a couple of staff trainings. Each person got a paper plate, folded it in half, then folded it in half again (making 4 different sections). Then everyone took the time to write something in each section that was going on in their life- things that were on your mind. The purpose was to show each other that if someone is having a bad day, there may be more to the story than you know.
Everyone has their skeletons. Everyone has something that seems to consistently bother/ worry/ stress them out. For some it may be money, love, career path, etc. Obviously, at this point most people know that what is typically on my "plate" is the thought of having a baby. I have complained quite a bit to Kevin since starting my new job about how it is so tough being around one of my co-workers since she is hugely pregnant. Of coarse in my mind it seems to always be "woe is me" when it comes to pregnancy and babies.
Today, my heart was shattered. It was a prime example of how we never know what is exactly going on with someone. There is another co-worker of mine who has been out all week. Since I am still pretty new, I am still trying to figure out who everyone is and match a face to a name. Regardless, there is one girl that lives on the same street as me, so I see her walking to and from work all the time, therefore I know who she is. Last week was her anniversary (not sure how long she has been married) but her husband sent a huge bunch of balloons to work and I could overhear her talking about their dinner plans for the night. Well, today I was talking with the one co-worker I have been working directly with everyday for the past week and a half (we are pretty much like BFF's now) and she told me the reason our co-worker has been out all week is because she is going through a miscarriage. After hearing this my heart sank- knowing the pain that she was going through. I say knowing in italics because I thought I knew what kind of pain she was going through. After talking a little more, I found out this was her third miscarriage... so obviously there is no way I would know what that kind of pain would feel like.
It made me weak to my knees- she always seemed to happy and bubbly. And then I remembered how I felt towards the pregnant co-worker, and couldn't fathom how this other girl must be feeling towards her.
It was a huge wake up call and reminder that there are always going to be people out there who have it better or worse than us. I know that if this month goes by with yet another negative pregnancy test I will be upset, but right now my heart goes out to those who have had to endure much worse experiences than myself.
Everyone has their skeletons. Everyone has something that seems to consistently bother/ worry/ stress them out. For some it may be money, love, career path, etc. Obviously, at this point most people know that what is typically on my "plate" is the thought of having a baby. I have complained quite a bit to Kevin since starting my new job about how it is so tough being around one of my co-workers since she is hugely pregnant. Of coarse in my mind it seems to always be "woe is me" when it comes to pregnancy and babies.
Today, my heart was shattered. It was a prime example of how we never know what is exactly going on with someone. There is another co-worker of mine who has been out all week. Since I am still pretty new, I am still trying to figure out who everyone is and match a face to a name. Regardless, there is one girl that lives on the same street as me, so I see her walking to and from work all the time, therefore I know who she is. Last week was her anniversary (not sure how long she has been married) but her husband sent a huge bunch of balloons to work and I could overhear her talking about their dinner plans for the night. Well, today I was talking with the one co-worker I have been working directly with everyday for the past week and a half (we are pretty much like BFF's now) and she told me the reason our co-worker has been out all week is because she is going through a miscarriage. After hearing this my heart sank- knowing the pain that she was going through. I say knowing in italics because I thought I knew what kind of pain she was going through. After talking a little more, I found out this was her third miscarriage... so obviously there is no way I would know what that kind of pain would feel like.
It made me weak to my knees- she always seemed to happy and bubbly. And then I remembered how I felt towards the pregnant co-worker, and couldn't fathom how this other girl must be feeling towards her.
It was a huge wake up call and reminder that there are always going to be people out there who have it better or worse than us. I know that if this month goes by with yet another negative pregnancy test I will be upset, but right now my heart goes out to those who have had to endure much worse experiences than myself.
Monday, June 14, 2010
New Schedule
This is my second Monday at my new job, and although it was extremely difficult to get out of bed this morning (I actually snoozed until 8 am, giving myself 20 minutes to get ready!) today was a great day! Monday's are pajama/movie day with the school aged kids, so after breakfast we sat around snacking on junk food (bad Lindsey bad!) and watching Rocketman (one of my childhood favorites). By the time the movie was over, it was time for lunch with the kids (the center provides breakfast, lunch, and snack for them). Once they finished eating, I was able to leave for my lunch, in which I came home, saw Kevin for a little bit, and relaxed. When I got back from lunch it was time to take the kids to the pool. Usually I sit on the side and watch them, but they have been begging me to get in the water with them, so I caved today. It was actually a ton of fun playing around with the kiddos in the water, and we eventually had a huge game of volleyball going with a bunch of total strangers. After the pool, we came back, watched Heavyweights (another childhood favorite), played some dodge ball in the gym, and then it was time to come home! All in all, it was a super fun day!!
I also decided that I am going to start trying to go to the gym every evening after work. I plan on doing cardio Monday-Friday and weights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Since I had such a great day at work and was actually in a surprisingly good mood for a Monday, I decided I would start this new attempt today. I was actually there for almost 2 hours!! I felt great when I left, ran to Walmart to pick up a few things, and came home. It is a little exhausting considering I finally got home this evening at 8:30, which means I have been going non-stop for 12 hours! I hope I can keep this up! The first week or two are usually the hardest for me, so I'm hoping I can push through.
I'm also very sad to report that our "adopted child" who is older than both of us- Steve (shout out!) is going to be leaving us for 3 months this Friday! Boo! It is going to be so lonely without him...he is pretty much our BFF (well, I'm sure he is more of Kevin's BFF, but I'm attached to Kevin, therefore he is my BFF too!) and I'm so disappointed that he is going to be gone all summer long. Poor guy is gonna miss the only 2 months of nice weather we will have (supposedly)!
Well, looks like it is time to shower and get ready for bed. I must say- today has been one of the fastest days of my life, and I can't complain about that! I am SOO ready for Saturday!!! ;)
I also decided that I am going to start trying to go to the gym every evening after work. I plan on doing cardio Monday-Friday and weights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Since I had such a great day at work and was actually in a surprisingly good mood for a Monday, I decided I would start this new attempt today. I was actually there for almost 2 hours!! I felt great when I left, ran to Walmart to pick up a few things, and came home. It is a little exhausting considering I finally got home this evening at 8:30, which means I have been going non-stop for 12 hours! I hope I can keep this up! The first week or two are usually the hardest for me, so I'm hoping I can push through.
I'm also very sad to report that our "adopted child" who is older than both of us- Steve (shout out!) is going to be leaving us for 3 months this Friday! Boo! It is going to be so lonely without him...he is pretty much our BFF (well, I'm sure he is more of Kevin's BFF, but I'm attached to Kevin, therefore he is my BFF too!) and I'm so disappointed that he is going to be gone all summer long. Poor guy is gonna miss the only 2 months of nice weather we will have (supposedly)!
Well, looks like it is time to shower and get ready for bed. I must say- today has been one of the fastest days of my life, and I can't complain about that! I am SOO ready for Saturday!!! ;)
Sunday, June 13, 2010
What is that Giant Ball of Burning Gas?
....Oh yea! The SUN!! It seems like it has been YEARS since I have seen this wonderfully warm friend of mine. Okay okay...not years but it has definitely been somewhere around 3 weeks.
Yesterday was the first sunny day we have had in so long, and all I wanted to do was just sit out on our deck and soak it in. Of coarse this didn't happen as much as I was hoping. I woke, and the USA vs. England game started at 10:30 am here. I watched the whole pregame, and then the actual game. By the time it was over, I was ready for some lunch and started watching some of my DVR shows since I haven't been able to keep up during the week. Of coarse I got sucked in, so my TV time seemed to drain most of the day. Kevin worked on his truck some, so we did get out and enjoy the afternoon some. But you want to know the best part about sunny days in Alaska? The sun doesn't go away until around 11-12 pm/am! And that is just for June...we have heard that by the time July and August roll around the sun stays up until around 2-3 am, and comes right back up around 4-5 am.
Surprisingly, the daylight hasn't effected us like I thought it would. We have some "blackout shades" that we hung behind the curtains in our bedroom, which helps block out the sunlight. The hardest part is figuring out what time it is. Last night is was 12:30 am when the sun started to set. I have to pay close attention to the clock on my work nights, so I know when it is time to start getting ready for bed. Before, once it got dark I knew it was time to start preping for bed, but now I know what it feels like to be 4 years old and have to go to bed before the sun goes down.
Today is another absolutely beautiful and sunny day, so I'm getting off this computer and going to play!! :) Unfortunately, tomorrow is supposed to be rainy again, so I'm trying to take advantage of this weather as much as possible!!
Yesterday was the first sunny day we have had in so long, and all I wanted to do was just sit out on our deck and soak it in. Of coarse this didn't happen as much as I was hoping. I woke, and the USA vs. England game started at 10:30 am here. I watched the whole pregame, and then the actual game. By the time it was over, I was ready for some lunch and started watching some of my DVR shows since I haven't been able to keep up during the week. Of coarse I got sucked in, so my TV time seemed to drain most of the day. Kevin worked on his truck some, so we did get out and enjoy the afternoon some. But you want to know the best part about sunny days in Alaska? The sun doesn't go away until around 11-12 pm/am! And that is just for June...we have heard that by the time July and August roll around the sun stays up until around 2-3 am, and comes right back up around 4-5 am.
Surprisingly, the daylight hasn't effected us like I thought it would. We have some "blackout shades" that we hung behind the curtains in our bedroom, which helps block out the sunlight. The hardest part is figuring out what time it is. Last night is was 12:30 am when the sun started to set. I have to pay close attention to the clock on my work nights, so I know when it is time to start getting ready for bed. Before, once it got dark I knew it was time to start preping for bed, but now I know what it feels like to be 4 years old and have to go to bed before the sun goes down.
Today is another absolutely beautiful and sunny day, so I'm getting off this computer and going to play!! :) Unfortunately, tomorrow is supposed to be rainy again, so I'm trying to take advantage of this weather as much as possible!!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
I'm Boring...
I'm sorry to report that there is absolutely nothing exciting going on in my life right now. I guess getting used to the routine of having a full time job has been taking it's toll on me, and I have been wiped out. I wake up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, take a shower, lay in bed and watch TV/fall asleep. Aren't you jealous?!? HA...
I must say that I am very excited for this weekend. Kevin is actually off, and I am saying some BIG prayers for some sunny weather! This rain is getting REAL old, real fast.
At the same time, I don't want this weekend to come because that means starting next week, Kevin is back on night shifts, which equals never seeing eachother! By the time I get home from work, he is leaving, and when he gets home in the morning he goes to sleep, and I will be waking up to start my day. Big Bummer...
Anyway...sorry I don't have a more exciting post, I just wanted to make sure you all knew that you are loved and I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth!
I must say that I am very excited for this weekend. Kevin is actually off, and I am saying some BIG prayers for some sunny weather! This rain is getting REAL old, real fast.
At the same time, I don't want this weekend to come because that means starting next week, Kevin is back on night shifts, which equals never seeing eachother! By the time I get home from work, he is leaving, and when he gets home in the morning he goes to sleep, and I will be waking up to start my day. Big Bummer...
Anyway...sorry I don't have a more exciting post, I just wanted to make sure you all knew that you are loved and I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Feeling Worn Out...In a Good Way!
Well, I'm sure those of you who are my friend on Facebook have heard the wonderful news... I got a job! WOO HOO!! I am currently employed full time with the Coast Guard Child Development Center- which means I get to play with wonderful children ranging from 6 weeks to 10 years old all day long!
Right now I am in the training phase. I went in on Wednesday to do some paperwork, and was asked if I could go in immediately following. I showed up and talked with the director for about an hour, took a tour of the facility, and got a run down of what to expect over the next four days (orientation/training).
My first full day was Wednesday (8:30-5:30) and I must tell you...I was EXHAUSTED by the time I got home. My day went something like this:
8:30-12:30 I was with the "polar bear" group (older 3's and 4's)
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-3:30 Training
3:30-5:30 I was with the "bear" group (older 2's and 3's)
It was a great experience and both age groups were AWESOME! I love the way the CDC runs this center, and what they are teaching these kids. They are so well behaved and have outstanding manors.
Needless to say, after I got home I was wiped out! Luckily, I have an amazing husband who made sure to have the house all cleaned up, and dinner ready by the time I walked in the door.
Today I went in from 7:30-4:30 and got to spend my day with the much younger kiddos.
I was with the infants from 7:30-10:30
Training from 10:30-11:30
Younger toddlers from 11:30-12:30
Lunch from 12:30-1:30
Training from1:30-2:30
And Older toddlers from 2:30-4:30
I wasn't as pooped when I got home this afternoon (hopefully my body is getting used to having to go to bed early and wake up early), but it is about 8:15 pm and I'm ready for bed!
I'm embarrassed to admit this is my first full time job, so I'm not used to having such a long work day. I can remember working a 6 hour shift at the EXIT, and thinking I was going to die because I thought that was a long period of time. Now instead of dealing with cussing teens and bad attitudes, I get to "deal with" runny noses, changing diapers, and crying. (I guess this is a good look into parenthood!)
That being said... As much as I already love this job, it does have its difficult moments. For instance, this morning being with infants. This is the group that I would love to be with, but at the same time they are the most difficult for me to cope with. I felt like I was in heaven this morning getting to love on what felt like thousands of babies (okay...it was like 6) but at the end of the day... they aren't mine. On top of that, I have a co-worker now who is 6 months pregnant, and it seems as though everything out of her mouth has to deal with her maternity leave or the excitement of having her first baby. Don't get me wrong- I'm happy for her (I don't really know her, so why would I have resentment towards her) but it just gets to be too much at times.
I know I know... this is supposed to be a happy, excited post (which it is), but I had to throw in my sensitivities as well. I know it will get easier over time, and hopefully I will get pregnant with my own baby soon enough, and then it will make me enjoy my job even more!
Right now I am in the training phase. I went in on Wednesday to do some paperwork, and was asked if I could go in immediately following. I showed up and talked with the director for about an hour, took a tour of the facility, and got a run down of what to expect over the next four days (orientation/training).
My first full day was Wednesday (8:30-5:30) and I must tell you...I was EXHAUSTED by the time I got home. My day went something like this:
8:30-12:30 I was with the "polar bear" group (older 3's and 4's)
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-3:30 Training
3:30-5:30 I was with the "bear" group (older 2's and 3's)
It was a great experience and both age groups were AWESOME! I love the way the CDC runs this center, and what they are teaching these kids. They are so well behaved and have outstanding manors.
Needless to say, after I got home I was wiped out! Luckily, I have an amazing husband who made sure to have the house all cleaned up, and dinner ready by the time I walked in the door.
Today I went in from 7:30-4:30 and got to spend my day with the much younger kiddos.
I was with the infants from 7:30-10:30
Training from 10:30-11:30
Younger toddlers from 11:30-12:30
Lunch from 12:30-1:30
Training from1:30-2:30
And Older toddlers from 2:30-4:30
I wasn't as pooped when I got home this afternoon (hopefully my body is getting used to having to go to bed early and wake up early), but it is about 8:15 pm and I'm ready for bed!
I'm embarrassed to admit this is my first full time job, so I'm not used to having such a long work day. I can remember working a 6 hour shift at the EXIT, and thinking I was going to die because I thought that was a long period of time. Now instead of dealing with cussing teens and bad attitudes, I get to "deal with" runny noses, changing diapers, and crying. (I guess this is a good look into parenthood!)
That being said... As much as I already love this job, it does have its difficult moments. For instance, this morning being with infants. This is the group that I would love to be with, but at the same time they are the most difficult for me to cope with. I felt like I was in heaven this morning getting to love on what felt like thousands of babies (okay...it was like 6) but at the end of the day... they aren't mine. On top of that, I have a co-worker now who is 6 months pregnant, and it seems as though everything out of her mouth has to deal with her maternity leave or the excitement of having her first baby. Don't get me wrong- I'm happy for her (I don't really know her, so why would I have resentment towards her) but it just gets to be too much at times.
I know I know... this is supposed to be a happy, excited post (which it is), but I had to throw in my sensitivities as well. I know it will get easier over time, and hopefully I will get pregnant with my own baby soon enough, and then it will make me enjoy my job even more!
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