Category: Family

Meet the Teacher Night was Thursday night, and it went really well. Eenan has a male teacher this year and he seems nice. He’s an older man and he’s big on reading like his teacher last year. Eenan’s taking the TAKS test this year so they’re going to be practicing for that all year.

Jaylen’s teacher is one John observed when he was taking the Substitute Teacher training a few years ago. He said she was mean to the kids LOL. I’m hoping she’s not; she seemed pretty nice when I met her. When she saw Jaylen and Eenan playing with the blocks and stuff she asked me, “He’s quiet, isn’t he?” I tell her, “At school, yes, very. At home, no so much.” She laughs and says, “Yes, I can tell right away which ones I won’t have trouble with.” Aww :).

I had to peel myself away from the bed yesterday; it felt so nice and fresh in the bedroom and I was so cozy cuddled up next to Mario. I got up, set the coffee pot, got washed up and dressed, ate my cereal and looked at the time: 8:30am. I picked up the phone and called the HR office, again, to set up an appointment to get my paperwork finally done. I finally speak to the lady who “takes care of” paperwork and guess what? She sets an appointment for Monday at 10am. Grr. I tell her my boss would have liked for me to go in that day, Friday, and that she definitely wanted me in by Monday. So simple things are for that woman; she tells me, “Oh, yes. You can come in, get everything done at 10, and go into work right after that if you’d like.” Um. Duh. Yes, I would like that.

I called my boss and gave her the news. She was cheerful, thank God, and bid me a good weekend.

I was fuming and boiling with rage for a few minutes, just thinking of how long everything’s been taking, but then I realized that I’d be able to drop the boys off on the first day of school! Mario and I will both be accompanying them that morning and I feel so much better about being there. I need to know about their bus schedule and all that and I need to turn in their enrollment papers. My babies will be going on the bus after school now! I’m so nervous! The last thing I want is to feel that helplessness in the pit of my stomach when I call home and Mom tells me they haven’t — or worse, ONE of them hasn’t — arrived yet *gulp*. But…they’ll be alright I hope. All the neighborhood children come in the bus and they’ve all been fine.

So after a bit of debate, John and I went to Target to pick up some photos I’d left for developing. Only because I had two $1 off coupons, if not, FORGET IT. Target is my world, but I don’t much care for their photo department’s ridiculous processing prices!

I found two blouses, one of which is a little thin, so it needed a tank or something under. We scanned the whole store and couldn’t find the perfect raspberry-colored tank anywhere. I look down at the blouse I’m wearing and pull from under it the raspberry tank I was wearing. Duh. John was really mad I’d taken so long for nothing LOL. We got some diapers for Aly and some scrapbooking stickers I wanted, stopped at H-E-B for milk (it’s too expensive at Dollar General! We ran into Chris and Nancy and they invited us over for dinner) and came home.

Alaethia turned 7 months old yesterday ^_^! Time’s just flashing by too quickly :(. Even John said, “I’ve been working too much. She’s already 7 months and I hardly ever see her.” It’s going to feel even faster once I’m working, but at least I get the afternoons with her. She’s already talking and babbling and crawling and trying to hold herself up…it’s crazy! She started saying “Deh-deh” the night Mario was setting up the mini fridge and held herself up in her crib for a good while. She’s so confident she tried walking off and immediately fell on her bootie LOL. She hasn’t started pulling herself up yet, but I’m sure she’ll do it any minute. She’s been goofy, sticking her tongue out at anyone who does it to her and has completely gotten the hang of holding her bottle and sippy cups on her own. She’s such a big girl :*).

I played with Alaethia awhile and Mario slept for about 2 hours before we left to Chris and Nancy’s. Their house is looking so cute with all the repairs Chris has done and the decorating Nancy’s done. They make me want to go out and buy a new living room set (which we’re going to have to do in the next year or so anyway).

Gloria and Jorge were there and it was nice catching up with her. We gossiped about husbands, family, decorating and played with Alaethia. She was such a good girl. The boys were alright for a while, got bored and Mario dropped them off at home since they wanted to sleep over at Mary’s. We stayed till 11pm, Mario and I searched for people on Myspace, then went to bed.

I didn’t want to get up again this morning, but at least I had an extra hour of sleep. It’s going to be so hard getting used to waking up at 5-5:30am! Ugh. That’s probably the only thing I won’t like about working LOL.

Mom and I (and Aly) borrowed John’s car and went to the thrift shop (shh! He doesn’t know, buahaha!) but found nothing. I mainly go for scrapbooking stuff and they didn’t have zip, except for some chipboard letters I found. We went to see Gramma after that and dropped some stuff off to her she needed, chatted a bit about my new job and everything else, and came home. She looked so tired today :(. She has a cough, again, and it just drains her of her energy. I asked her what her current favorite color is and she sort of just shrugged, like it wasn’t a big deal, when usually she’d think about it and happily tell me. I hope she feels better soon :(.

And now I’m here. I’m waiting for 5 o’clock to roll around so I could go to a party with Mary. I was supposed to go to another party with Chris and Nancy, but I’d forgotten about this other one so I’ll have to call and let them know. I’m going to try and scrapbook a bit and then get the boys’ school papers done. Or maybe I should do it the other way around LOL?

Alaethia woke up for a bottle at 5:30am Tuesday morning and I couldn’t fall asleep after that. I was up till 7am, making mental lists of things I needed to do. I tried sleeping, but couldn’t. Needless to say, I did not want to wake up when the alarm went off at 7:45. But at least I didn’t end up falling asleep, again, like I had been all week and waking Mario up super late.

Everything went really fast. John and Isaac came over and we dropped Isaac off at work, deposited money at the credit union for Mary, then went to Mary’s work to pick up a coupon she printed out for me (we still can’t find the CD to the printer so we can’t connect it to the laptop, grr). Luck would have it that it would be pouring when we arrived at the building. I got the coupon, got some papers I needed to take to a school for Noelia records, we stopped by Petsmart to see the animals, then went to the mall. We found some awesome parking close by JC Penny and went in. As soon as I went in there I knew I was going to have a hell of a time finding stuff in my size. I figured that after Saturday they’d replenish stock after all the sales, but it sure didn’t look like they did. I didn’t even know what to buy, so I bothered Mrs. V. again and asked what the dress code was. No sleeveless, capris are okay but you have to have nice legs (LOL), professional clothing and there were Polo shirts as our “uniform” if I’d like to do that, but it’s not required. They’re $28, which is more than I’d ever usually spend on a blouse, but it beats having to come up with an outfit every morning.

I spent two hours there and found hardly anything. I usually have to put blouses away because I want so many, but this time I couldn’t find anything at all. Out of everything I did try on I bought two pairs of “dressy” capris, a blue blouse and some black dress pants, which look like a pair I already have. Since all I have are open-toed shoes and they’re not allowed, I had to buy some. I’m going to be on my feet a whole lot of the day so I got some cute Mudd mary janes in black and brown. I had to order the black ones from the catalog, but I’m glad I found them.

John was acting like he was dying and he was doing me a great service by “being there” with me while I shopped for those two hours and wanted food. He was in a bad mood because Game Stop wouldn’t return one of the crappy games he’d bought. We went to the food court and got pizza and the shittiest sushi I’ve ever eaten. He bought dessert: a Minibon from Cinnabon. Those things are HUGE. I wonder what the regular cinnamon rolls look like.

I’d been doing so good watching what I eat and went and ruined it yesterday. And let me tell you, I immediately felt it. Carb-overload. I felt overly full and bloated.

We went to H-E-B after that to get the rest of the boys’ school supplies. I didn’t find Jaylen’s jumbo primary pencils. We went straight to the school to get Noelia’s paper, which took forever because they kept sending me to different doors and then told me the woman I needed to speak to wasn’t there at all. Pissed me off. A woman finally showed us to the gym, where the lady was stationed, and I got the darn paper. We rushed to the church to pick up Alaethia’s baptism certificate and I made it about 10 minutes before they closed at 5. I got home on time to pick up Isaac, but he’d gotten a ride with Jose.

I did everything I needed to do in the evening then Mario called while I was making dinner around 8pm. He wanted to buy a mini fridge so there Jaylen, Alaethia and I go at 9pm to meet him at Target. Mary watched Eenan while we went. We get there, get a few things Mary needed, get a few things we needed (and I found Jaylen’s jumbo pencils!) and got the fridge and paid. And I dropped off two rolls of film, finally. Still got about 10 more to go! I can’t wait to see what’s on them…they’re from like…3-4 years ago!

As for today…I didn’t want to wake up again in the morning and spent about 10 minutes huddled up in Mario’s arms for a while. That made me want to climb out of bed even less, but I did. Got Mario’s lunch ready, his breakfast ready, his clothes ironed and then fed myself and the boys. Eenan got ready, we dropped off Isaac at work, and then we left to the doctor’s office.

It was full, but they saw me right away. I was freaking out a little because the area that they’d injected me with the TB thing was RED. I’d stupidly hung the shopping basket yesterday while we were at H-E-B and hurt my arm. They said I was fine, though, and filled out my immunization card. I’d have to bring Eenan back in though, since they’d just received the vaccines and had to inventory them and all that. They told me to go in at 1-1:30, while they were at lunch so they’d do it really quick.

I dropped Eenan off then went to the HR office. My luck — the woman I needed to speak to about my paperwork was at a funeral and might be out all day. GREAT. I told the receptionist my supervisor wanted me in at least tomorrow but she apologized and said that the other woman was the only one I could see. She gave me a number to call back to to check if the woman went back to work.

I feed the kids lunch, spend time with little Aly and then call the HR office at 1. The woman’s still out, but they think she might return. Fine. I said I’d call back at 2. I took off with Eenan (who was quite reluctant knowing he was going to get a shot) and we get to the office. THE DOOR IS LOCKED. With a huge note that says they’ll be back at 2. ARGH. I’m so frustrated right now. At least Mario just called and made me feel better.

I’m off to call and go to the doctor’s office. I hope this day takes a turn for the better! I want to go to work tomorrow! (I may not be saying that later LOL…)

Update: 2:37pm – NO GO. Went to the doctor’s: NO VACCINES. They said call tomorrow. Called to see if Mrs. Lopez was in: SHE’S OUT OF THE OFFICE…again. She went back to work after the funeral apparently, but she’s “in and out of the office”. I left a message with all my info and told them to tell her it’s about my damn paperwork. How stressful.

Chris and Nancy came over again last night to play Wii Sports. We played for a while (I’m currently a *Pro* at bowling and Nancy’s reigning queen of boxing) and the men left on a beer run, as always. We were SO sore after we played. I wonder how Nancy feels today?

Nancy and I talked about babies and how I was stilling hanging on to a dingleberry of hope that I’d gotten the job since I’d called to HR yesterday morning and they told me they’d submitted the recommendation, but the board hadn’t approved anyone yet. So I still had a chance.

We stayed up talking till 12am, then Mario and I didn’t go to sleep till 1:30. Alaethia started stirring around 4:30am so I prepared a bottle, but she ended up staying asleep. She didn’t wake up till 6 for one and the alarm went off at 7:45 for Mario. I turned over to shut it off…and went back to sleep. I hear Alaethia crying so I get up in a panic. I look at the clock and it’s 8:11. 4 minutes till Mario needs to LEAVE to work. If it weren’t illegal he probably would have strangled me by now.

I went back to bed with Alaethia and was jolted awake by the phone. I look at the caller ID and it’s from the school district! I pretend I wasn’t asleep at all and clear my throat and then I hear the words: “You were approved by the board! Congratulations!” I couldn’t hide my excitement and I think I even squealed. The lady speaking to me sounded just as excited as I did. She told me the librarian wanted to speak to me, so to call her, and then she said, “Hello, I’ll just transfer you!”

I told her the good news and after she gives me details about what I need to do next she says, “I hope you’re excited because I am so excited!” I laugh and say, “Oh yes! I’m so very excited!” I couldn’t stop giggling LOL.

Eenan was sitting next to me when I hung up the phone. I turn to him and scream, “I got the job, Nano!!” and he gets this priceless grin on his face and says, “Oh yay, you got it!!”

Jaylen already has my paychecks planned out LOL. And of course I called Mario and Mary and then told Mom, John, Jorge and Big Mario when they came over.

I call to HR and ask what the next step is, but the girl tells me the woman I need to speak to is out to lunch and that they’re closing the office from 11am to 2pm. Grr. I decide I should really do everything I was putting off for the weekend, like getting the boys’ haircuts, the rest of their school supplies and timing myself from here to work (I didn’t want to get my hopes up so I never went and took that drive!). John wants to go to the mall, and I do need to get a few work outfits, but I didn’t think we’d have time so we postponed that for tomorrow.

The boys unwillingly get ready and we get their hair cut. We get to the salon and I suddenly remember that Mario took my cash from my wallet, so we leave the salon and go to Aziz real quick to get cash at the ATM. We go back, the lady and I talk about work and school and her daughter and her kids and my kids while she cuts the boys’ hair. They look great. We get home, they bathe, I make lunch (grilled cheese and soup) and I call HR again. I’m going to need to go in for a TB test and have to wait till I get the results to go in to fill out the paperwork, which will probably be Thursday. I immediately call the doctor’s office; $25 for the test and however much it’ll be for Eenan’s physical and vaccine. I was going to take him this week anyway, so it worked out.

I get weighed (124.1, oy) and then they check Eenan out and do all the stuff for the physical. He’s being wild and crazy, as usual. Erica, one of the nurses, asks me “how I do it” LOL. After they’re done with Eenan’s hearing test and eye test, they do the TB test on me. To my complete elation (because we’re quite broke right now after buying the rest of the school clothes) Eenan’s physical and vaccine (which we have to go back on Thursday for because they ran out) were FREE. I didn’t know CHIPs did that. Now that I’m remembering…all the years they’ve been on CHIPs I clearly remember paying their co-pay for each one. Not sure about the vaccine’s though O_o.

I was going to go with Eenan straight to Walmart after the doctor’s, but decided against it once I saw how dusty and ugly the sky was becoming. The wind and dust were blowing so harshly that I figured I’d just go to Dollar General. Little did I know I’d find most of the stuff Jaylen still needed, and for really cheap! Now, all they need are their Kleenex, Ziploc bags and Jaylen needs jumbo pencils, which I’ll probably find at H-E-B like last year.

I call Mrs. V., the librarian, because she wanted me to update her since she wanted me to start sooner than later. I told her I might make it in Friday, since I’d be getting my results on Thursday and going in for the paperwork that day, too. She said it would be cool if I at least got to go in on Friday, just to get a feel of it before school starts on Monday.

And there was my day. I’m going to miss my Aly Rose (and sleeping) but it’s worth it. At least I’ll get to spend my evenings with her :). I had no idea when I woke up this morning I’d be running around like crazy getting things done because of my JOB. I’m so excited, and just so, so happy :). All my friends and family were all so positive I got it, even when I started to lose faith.

I feel so lucky!