It's amazing what a new watch will do

Chloe had a gift card for Justice that she got from her aunt for her birthday. She wanted to go and get a new lunch box for school with it yesterday.

Well, she got the lunch box, a necklace and a new watch (she's been asking for a new watch since her old one broke in her accident).

I wish you all could have seen her walking through that mall. She was as proud as a peacock strutting her stuff and then periodically looking at her watch. It was so stinkin' cute!!

Every couple of minutes, she'd ask me if it was 2:22. Yes, Chloe, it's 2:22. Mom, is it 2:26? Yes, Chloe, it's 2:26.

She just had to make sure it was still working! ;)

I made mention of the fact that now that I'm going to be working, I'm going to need a little bit more help around the house. Chloe immediately said she would do everything, and I won't have to do anything! :) I think she's forgetting that she has to go to school all day too! :) Chloe wanted me to teach her how to do laundry today, so I immediately obliged! Who wouldn't?!?! She was a quick learner, for sure, and she did about 3 loads this evening - never stopping to check her watch to see when the load would be done! :)

I just love this girl - she's got a heart of gold, and such a serving spirit!

Today, we head up to University of Chicago for a CT Scan. I'm eager to get the results, but I'm hopeful that everything is just fine!!

Let's talk about those changes...

Many of you may know that Ryan and I made the decision to take our kids out of the private school they were in and place them in the public elementary school in our town. It was a huge, very tough decision, but I feel very confident that we made the right decision. I've felt at peace about it for a long time and have been eager for school to begin. Side note: I'm never eager for school to begin, I'm the mom who loves having her kids home, so this is very strange for me! ;)

Fast forward a couple of months to last Wednesday. I had the idea to call the school to see if they had any types of openings to supervise recess, etc. They informed me of 2 openings for Teacher's assistants. I talked it over with Ryan and we both agreed that I should apply. I brought in my application on Wednesday around 11:30, and by around 2:00 that afternoon the office called me to set up an interview with the principal at 10:00 on Thursday. I went to the interview, and by 1:00 that afternoon, the principal called me to tell me that "I would be the perfect fit for the school family" and she offered me the job. I accepted it, without any hesitation. You see, before I even knew anything about this job, I wanted to get to the school, and just get involved. I wanted to be involved with PTO, room parties, etc. Now though, I am going to be right smack dab in the middle of my kids school, with eyes and ears all around! It is definitely a God thing, that's for sure!! Oh, and the best part - when my kids are out of school, so am I! I don't have to give up my summers with my family at the lake!! Yay!!

I had my orientation today, and it went great! There are 12 Teacher's assistant's and it just seems like an awesome school family! I officially start on Wednesday, bright and early to Welcome Back all of the students! I'm super excited!! {and so are my kids! :)}

ch-ch-ch-changes!

Lots of changes going on in our house this time if year! I'm not at liberty to share them all just yet, but when I can, you bet I will! Could I just ask you to keep my family in your prayers? Thanks!

Chloe Update

July 9 marked the 6-month anniversary of Chloe's accident {also Chloe's 8th birthday! :)}.  The neurologist originally told us it would take about 6 ~ 12 months for her skull fractures to heal and that she should be on limited activity for that time.  Well, seeing that the new school year is fast approaching, I needed some guidance as to whether or not she should still be out of recess and gym.

Thankfully, I have the direct line to the neurosurgeon's nurse {we know her personally!:)} and gave her a call.  Unfortunately, the neurosurgeon that we dealt with has left University of Chicago and the nurse had to present our case to the new pediatric neurosurgeon.

She presented our case and came back to tell us that Chloe was supposed to come back for a repeat CT Scan at the 3-month mark.  WHOOOPPPPPSSS!!!  Ryan and I both swear we did not hear the doctor tell us this, but alas, we will go in for our "3-month follow-up"...ahem...a few months late!  ;)

I have to say though, that I'm kinda glad to get another peek into her little noggin.  The last CT Scan that she had still showed the fractures on her skull.  They were healing perfectly, but still there.  I'm anxious to see the status of them, and I'll keep you posted on the results!

To My Chloe Girl:

My sweet Chloe,

Today you are 8 years old! Yikes! Stop growing up already! :)

You are growing up to be such a sweet, loving, beautiful girl! I love sharing those special times with you where it's just us...no boys! (just the way you love it! ;)) I love how you are so helpful with anything I ask you to do. You truly are a joy to have around, and I don't know what I would do without you! You are one special girl, that's for sure!

I'm looking forward to the future with you too!

I love you my Gracey Girl!!

Love,

Mama

To My Brett Boy:

My dear little Brettie Boy:

I can't even believe that you are six today!! Where has the time gone?! You are growing up way too fast, and there is no stopping you! :)

You are growing up to be such a little man. I love it when you tell me I look gorgeous! ;) One day you're wife is gonna like that more than I do, I bet! You are a little lover, that's for sure. You've got such a soft gentle heart, and I love that about you!

Now, don't get me wrong, you do have you're naughty streaks too, but for the most part, you are a joy to have around.

I love you Brett, more than I can express, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you!!

Love,

Mommy

This one's for Linda! ;) {The long awaited Oprah story}

Reader, Linda, gently reminded me that I never did tell you guys about my Oprah experience.  So sorry about that!  I've seriously been swamped!  I've got a little extra time now, so I'm gonna tell you ALL about it! :)

Tuesday night, my sister and I slept at our friend Katie's house, cause we had to be AT the Oprah show @ 7:00 ~ earlier if we wanted better seating.  So we got up around 4am and left around 5:30 or so. It felt a bit like Black Friday to me, cause the three of us always go shopping together, except it was much more exciting! ;)

It took us no time at all to get to the city, and we had NO problem finding on-street parking, so that was AWESOME too! ;)

The line was already forming - it was quite long actually.  The closer we got to the front, the more nervous I got.  Not really nervous, I guess, just really excited! ;)  You wouldn't believe the security check.  They seriously looked at EVERYTHING in your purse.  I have a little Bible in there, and they confiscated it {I got it back later though}.  And would you believe this one?  They took Katie's coupons!!!!!  Crazy, just crazy.  I have no idea what that was all about, but we did get it all back at the end.

They instructed us to this room that had nothing but chairs, and we sat there for what felt like forever, but it was probably only about an hour or so.  We made nice with the girls sitting across from us, so it made the time go by quicker. 

One thing I forgot to mention is that my sister-in-law knows one of the executive producers.  Would you believe that she called him and he was producing the show that day and we got priority seating?!?  WE DID!!  We were in the 5th row!  So cool!!

Alright, so Oprah comes out and she totally looks different in real life.  She must've had SOOO much make-up on , cause it looked REALLY caked on.  Anyway, she couldn't walk in the shoes that they had her wearing, and she was really cute about it.

The story was about this many from Arkansas, Tony Alamo.  He was the leader of this church/cult and his followers believed that if their children lived with him/married him that they would be the chosen ones to get to heaven.  He had MANY brides, including one at age 8!!!!!!  4 of his brides testified against him in court and he is now serving 175 years behind bars. 

I won't tell you many more details, cause I don't want to ruin it if you want to watch the show, but it was a pretty good show.  I was really hoping for the "Wishes do come true" or "favorite things" show, but oh well! :)

We aren't sure of an air-date yet.  They told us to keep watching Oprah's website to find out, so I'll let you know.

After Oprah, we got in the car and headed towards State St. and Michigan Avenue to see where we wanted to have lunch.  We were driving past the Chicago Theatre and the sign said "America's got Talent - FREE ADMISSION 1pm"  So we kept going back and forth - should we go - shouldn't we.  In the end, we decided we'd just go.  We got a sandwich quick and headed over to stand in another line.  Are we gluttons for punishment or what?!?  We were quickly informed that we needed internet tickets - even though it was free.  Boo.  We went into Halsted St. Deli so we could get a FAMOUS Rainbow Ice Cream Cone.  Can I just say YUM!! I totally didn't think that I would like it, but it was really good! As we were sitting eating our cones, Katie noticed some cameras outside and they were setting up a microphone.  Well, we had to go out and see what the commotion was all about.  Apparently, Nick Cannon {Mariah Carey's husband} is the host of "America's got Talent."  Side note:  I never watch the show and had no idea who Nick Cannon was. Oops!  Anyway, he was doing an introduction to the show outside!  That was pretty cool to watch too!

We were just standing outside eating our cones when a guy who was clearly from "America's got Talent," with headphone on and all, came walking past us.  I told Katie to ask him to let us in, and HE DID! :)  He actually told us we didn't need a ticket - someone else was misinformed.  We made it in! ;)

So, to be completely honest with you - now I know why I don't watch the show.  There were just a couple of good acts, but seriously the audience is what drove me nuts!!  They were so obnoxious!  Everyone had to get their voice heard, and it took so much more time than it should've.  We left at intermission. :)

We had such an AWESOME day!  I was with two of my best friends, and enjoyed a great day in Chicago!!