Dear Boyfriend...

Dear Boyfriend,

I got you. Good.

HA!

You were all upset that I just couldn't find the time to come see you once in a month.

Little did you know that your brother and I were conspiring behind your back.

I almost told you, about a hundred times, while we would talk.

But thankfully, I held on to it long enough.

And the look on your face when I walked in the door made it all worth it.

Did you really think I'd go a month without seeing you when I had a full weekend off?

Surprise, bf. I got you. Good :)

-Your Girlfriend

Baby Talk.

I speak 3 languages mainly:
1. English
2. Landon-ese
3. Luke-ish

The last two may not be considered real to you guys, but they are to me.

And I have to flip back and forth between the two depending of which little guy I'm talking to.

Now that's what I call fluent.

For example, take the word "dup". (Yes. Its a real word.)
In Landon-ese, it means "Yup" or "Yes".
In Luke-ish, it means "Give me my cup before I start to scream!"

Example #2:
How do you know when the child is done eating and ready to get out of their chair?
Landon-ese: "Ah guh guh duh" (All gone done)
Luke-ish: "UNNNNN!!!!" (Done.)

They both like the crayon that is yellow (in English).
In Landon-ese: "Lellow"
In Luke-ish: "Ye-yo"

I love seeing them both learn to talk and express themselves, only sometimes, the innocent bystander/fellow grocery store patron/elderly couple at the next table don't...

For Example:
Luke says "Uck" instead of truck. Yep, imagine the stares we get for that one as we head down the grocery store aisles and Luke is saying (screaming) "Uck! Uck! UCK!!!"

I have multiple times resisted the urge to turn to the person giving him and me a dirty stare and tell them that he's saying "truck" and to get their minds out of the gutter.

I am aware of how random this post is.

But that was what I was thinking about today.

Now you know :)

A Nanny Rant

Okay, let me just start by saying that I love my job(s). Really. I do.

But that doesn't stop me from having those days where I want to either:
a. pull my hair out
b. sell the kids to the circus
c. run out the door screaming

So, if you are a nanny, looking to get one, or just an interested reader, here's some things you should know about my job:

1. If you say you're going to be home at 7, be home at 7. Not 7:45.
(I get that sometimes you get tied up, but really? Every day?)
2. I am in charge of feeding the kids, but I can't do so if there's no food in the house.
(If you need me to go to the grocery store, I will. just say the word)
3. Appreciate how difficult my job is. And compensate accordingly.
(Well under minimum wage is NOT acceptable)
4. If one of the kids is sick, let me know before I get there and feel their forehead burning up.
(How would you like if I did that to you?)
5. Also, please warn me if the kids had a late night the night before.
(common courtesy, you know.)
6. You did not ask me when I started the job to clean house; however, if it looks like a tornado has recently passed through, I'm going to clean it so I can walk without tripping over things. Acknowledge that.
(More common courtesy, ya know?)
7. I need to know the kids' schedule. If they have day camp this week, and I need to pick them up at "x" time,  please tell me ahead so I can plan accordingly.
(And it would be super if you let me know ahead of time if it gets canceled or changed).
(And so I can get your other child to nap at the correct time)
8. Long, drawn out, emotional goodbyes do nothing for anyone. They make you sad, they make your kid sad, and they make ME sad for having to deal with the repercussions.
9. Any activities you want me to do with the kids will probably be fine, but run them by me first.
(I don't like walking in the door and having an 8 year old tell me that mommy said we could go swimming today when it wasn't discussed AT ALL between me and mommy)
10. I need to know about any medicines your child is taking or has been taking. Seriously. It's a safety thing.
(And so I am not completely shocked when I take them to the pediatrician and they ask me why little guy is taking medicine "x". And then look incompetent.)

So yeah, we will call that my top ten rant of all things nanny.

I repeat: I love my job, but like any other, it's not perfect, so sometimes I need to vent.

Have a lovely day, friends.

Some Things...

Some things will never cease to make my day.

Like getting to see this guy:

Like learning to do something new, or catching up on a favorite tv show.

Or...finding out that another precious Chen Zhou baby has a possible family!

Congratulations, sweet baby! And to your future forever family! (Whoever and wherever they may be!)

You are loved!

P.S. You are forgiven for peeing on me that one afternoon in the baby room ;)

7 pictures for 7 months

I could write a big post about how awesome the past 7 months of dating Chad have been. But I don't think I could totally articulate.

Since a picture paints a thousand words, I pulled 7 of our many pictures from the past 7(ish) months.

(No, I'm not being vain, I just think he's cute!)

1. This is my favorite picture of us ever; taken on our second date: Denver, CO.

This was the first weekend we met; Fall Getaway 2010

This was the weekend Chad asked to pursue me; Mizzou v. K State

Our first "real" date, Cru Formal 2010

We were being silly before going to The Melting Pot for my 20th!

I just like this picture of us. Lee and Emily's Wedding, May 2011

This is the most current picture I have of us (I think he may have another?)
June 2011

The Double Nanny

I know, it sounds like the name to a bad TV show.

But its me now.

A nanny, part time for two different families in two different towns.

Am I crazy for taking this on while still in school? Probably.

Will I become even more addicted to coffee because of it? Probably.

But will it kill me? No.

So, Alaina, Kale, Allie, and Luke....

Here's to a crazy semester ahead of us, full of doctor's appointments, playdates, and trips to the park!

Pray for me, y'all.

The Things You May Want To Know....

Ok, so if you want an update, read on.

A lot has changed this summer.

Type A personality Amy thinks better in lists, so I'll list the changes.

1. I'm changing schools, from SIUE to SWIC.

2. I'm changing majors, from Elem Ed to Nursing (my real passion).

3. I'm moving home. (Closer to SWIC and cheaper).

4. I'm getting a second nanny job since all but one of my classes are online. (But I am keeping the one in Eville, just changing days).

What this means for me:
- Less expensive school.
- But more difficult school.
- A degree in a field I'll love.
- More time with my family.
- More specifically, more time around my nephews!
- The same # of semesters left.
- Adjusting to living at home again.

What this means for you:
- You gotta come visit me! ;-)

If you have questions or whatever, you probably have my number.

God is good.