Slow weekend with a SURPRISE twist!

Day 56-Saturday
Peaceful Weekend....
We honestly did a whole lot of nothing this weekend...I feel like I live behind my cellphone and camera so I put it down for the most part!  Saturday we went to the pool on base at 11 and was home by 130.  The kids watch Mars Needs Moms and actually Josh and I found ourselves watching it too and loving it!   We tried really hard to just relax and have not a care in the world since it was our last weekend before school starts.  Nana Babs and Grampa the Rooster were coming on Sunday so we just cleaned house and prepped for Nana's extended stay!  Grilled Flank and stuffed portabellas for dinner and an early bed!


Day 57- Sunday
Sunday we awoke to a clogged disposal. UGH!  WE tried everything and since there was no food in it we were very confused.  Ran out to Target and got some liquid plumber and on the way home treated the girls to a shake from Steak n Shake.  I made the mistake of eating dairy and I didn't realize just HOW intolerant my body is after living a Paleo life since January.  It is incredible what your body does just to show you what is good and not good for it.  I felt like a blow up doll with hugely dilated eyes a nauseous tummy and pounding headache.  Took a lot of water to flush that dairy out of me.  Anyway, we got home and the girls were running ahead of me and Josh followed.  I had Jasper in the car seat.  The rounded the corner and I heard, ' well there's Baleigh....and Payton...and JOSH!"  I came around the corner into the breeze way in front of our door and who is it!?  SHERRY FORTIN!  I have not seen Sherry since I was a teenager!  She was a member of our church and choir at United Baptist when I was younger and a great friend of the family.  It was such a wonderful visit.  Now as I said for Saturday I have been off the radar for the weekend on facebook...well turns out she had messaged me she was in the area.  WE had a lovely hour long visit where she cuddled Jasper and entertained the girls million and one questions.  Her dog lady was a huge hit and very tolerant of my "hands on" children!

Although the visit was short lived it is really comforting to know she is only a few hours away.  Thank you Sherry!!
After Sherry left Josh's parents Nana Babs and Grampa showed up!  Grampa only stayed 20 or so minutes as he wanted to turn back around.  Apparently a hurricane is brewing and he needed to get back to shut up the house.  We enjoyed our first night with Nana eating a nice chicken and salad dinner and staying up for quite a late night for me! 
Tomorrow Bay starts school!  I am sad I will not start it with my class but I understand that training and so forth is crucial to assure I am teaching the appropriate material and style for this particular school.

1/2 off means free! RIGHT?

Day 55- Friday NIGHT

I waited impatiently today to hear from my hubby who was to be pepper sprayed for the 4th time in his career.  While he did that up at the academy I got a few groceries to make it through the weekend.  When I walked in the store to start shopping I came across this sign...

My mother and I have this theory...  When you get an item for 1/2 its full price and you get an additional one for free then that means you got it ALL for free!  Since you are getting two for half the cost of one.  Get it?  Well apparently the people at the commissary do!  I was so impressed I took a pic of the sign and it kept me giggling all day.  eot the price....just the "almost free" comment.
After shopping I went home and schooled Linda on doing snatches....an Olympic weight lifting move that works all the muscles in your body almost.  She did great!  I then prepared dinner for the hubby, paleo Fish n Chips with a new fish I have never tried called BASA. 
Josh got home early, they let them out at 1 since they had been pepper sprayed.  We spent the afternoon relaxing and watching passing storms.  Something I love to do :)  I am trying to relax and enjoy these last few days before work!  As for the fish dinner... It was quite delicious!  Flaky, sweet, white meat...so good...for an imported fish.  The rest of the night we watched movies before hitting the hay.  All for now...see you after the weekend!

Counting the days....

Day 54-Thursday
So only a few more days until school...how many?  Ask Baleigh and its "going to be here real soon right mom!?"  Bay starts at La Petite on Monday and I start on Tuesday pending my background check gets in before Monday.  Actually hoping to hear from her Friday at some point.  Barbara will be here Sunday to help watch the kiddies until Josh gets done with the police academy and we can put the kids in full time care.  I am so appreciative of her help! 
So today I was out on the porch early in the morning and heard some rustling from my plants....a little freaked out I stood up to walk inside and this little guy popped up out of the dirt!!!  I am assuming he buried himself for the night?

He was so cool!
So in the morning the girls and I did educational puzzles, matching words with pictures identifying letters and letter sounds.  Also some math which they both are amazing at recognizing numbers and counting....really ahead of the game I love it.  Then they wanted to paint.  Well we don't have a dining room table here or a safe area to paint...so I put them on the porch!

Having a blast!

"its a rollercoaster mama!  See!" Pip

"Its how my tummy feels when I go on the water slide and water park..." Bay

"I painting a snake!" Pip

"My spider and the web on the bottom" Bay

The are so inventive...and painted for a good hour and a half without bugging me! I got a lot of cleaning and prepping done for the school year.


Ok so Linda came over as usual for our workout today and I wrecked her!  She is not happy with me right now.  And I am again having trouble typing my shoulders and biceps are reallllly tight! I love it... I ran out to the store while she was here to get milk and bread and eggs ( no, there isn't a blizzard coming, or a hurricane).  And this is the nasty creature who greeted me....

This is a Guatemalan brown anole....they mated with the beautiful sweet green ones and have made a nasty new breed.  The green ones change color...these brown with white dots do not.  He was about 6 inches I would say....and I think he hissed at me.  But I got the pic!

I got back and it was same old same old routine.   Pool was closed for beautification and renovation so kids watched movies in the afternoon and we sat on the porch watching storms pass.  Nice relaxing day.  Josh got home late today and I had waiting for him a twice baked chicken and sausage stuffed acorn squash and lemon pepper chicken.  He said I had hit another home run! :)  But he is still dreaming of the stuffed portabellas....guess I am remaking those!
All for now!  Hope to hear from my work tomorrow if not Monday.  Also not looking forward to Josh being pepper sprayed for the FOURTH time in his law enforcement career! UGH!  Poor guy....and he has to drive home 55 minutes from the academy!  Never ending!  Ok great day to all!

Waiting on Corporate....and Paleo Shrimp Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms!

Day 52....Tuesday
Wait....wait...wait.  All I could do Tuesday was wait wait wait.  The morning started with a lovely run, 5k, with Linda and a phone call mid run from Jennifer at the school asking if I had a copy of my transcripts. Apparently RIC does not put area of concentration on the certificate, the Bachelors just says Bachelors of Science.  In order to get a decent salary award letter from corporate they need to see that you have a background specifically in EARLY childhood.  Mind you I was in the middle of running a 5k when she called so I must have sounded ridiculous!  I ran to the house and emailed her my transcripts, and that was at 11 am...so the rest of the day.....wait....wait....wait.  I know Jennifer said I was hired, and I know how she treated me was so wonderful showing me around and introducing me as the "new lead VPK" but....ya know, just...something could go wrong right? She can not hire me on fully without corporate approval, cleared fingerprints, and federal background check.  So we tried to pass time with a swim during the day and some movies.  We really went nowhere and did nothing, I just stared at my phone.  I know Jennifer stays in the center until 530....so at 5 I finally called.  She was so apologetic saying shes been trying to get my classroom list together and sort out all the last minute VPK things before the state comes Friday to double check for the school year.  Because VPK is state funded here just like in a public school, they license, certify and check in on all the schools they allow to teach.  So after her apologies she ran to another room to check her email and called me right back.   I had been approved by corporate but the salary was far less than she had thought since i only have a degree, no experience yet.  She promised me there are merit increases that she is in charge of, and she also said that initially they had offered me almost 1.50 less an hour and she fought them tooth and nail until they came up to a reasonable offer.  I really like this woman....and apparently the feeling is mutual!  She was petrified that I would say no...but you know what, I have to start somewhere and I need to start my career NOW.  Of course I approved the offer.  And proceeded to make my husband the most fabulous meal!!!!  Sheperds pie ( PALEO OF COURSE!)

So Krys and I had such a good time during our night swim we decided to go again!  And we found a beautiful creature of the wild kingdom...he unfortunately did not survive the pool.

So that is all to report for Tuesday!


Day 52- WEDNESDAY!
So Wednesday came in with a very sore Kitty!  I have no run a 5k since Mariah Carey and that was Jan 2010 so my legs and body felt wrecked!  Today was another waiting game but ended quickly.  Jennifer ( my boss) was waiting to hear from Episcopal Children Services for me to get fingerprinted and have a livescan done on my background check etc.  It is by appointment only so she could do nothing but wait for them.  Fortunately they responded quickly and I had a call at 9 am from Jennifer informing me to stop  by and grab the form from her so I could make it to a 1230 appointment.  The girls and I were at the park on base since it was shady in the am and nice and cool, relatively speaking. 

We left the park and headed to my work...

Baleigh introduced herself to my boss and did a curtsy!   Jennifer fell in love with all three of my kids and was extremely sweet to them all.  She zoned in on the size of Jasper and thought he was 6 months.  When I said 10 weeks her jaw dropped.  You had a baby 10 weeks ago??!  Jeesh girl I need your workout plan..."  OH Jennnnifer, I wanted to say, don't get me started!  You will regret it!  Or if your serious, maybe you won't, ask Linda.  :) 
Anywho fingerprints were completed and once she receives the results, Friday or Monday latest, I go fill out all my hiring paperwork and start training Tuesday!  HOLY COW!  YAY! 

DINNNNER-
OK so enough about that, I made the most amazing dinner tonight, sorry to toot my own horn but it was incredible!!  When I asked Josh how it could have been better his response, " well you could have given me two, and a knife....a knife would have been good, ya know...to cut it?"   I had 6 huge thick portabella caps and was craving stuffed portabello mushrooms.  I looked up a generic stuffing recipe to get quantities correct for the bread crumbs ( almond meal for us) but thats it.....so here goes!

Finely chop 1/2 onion and sauteed on low heat with 1/4 cup of coconut oil

Scrape the center of a portabella ( large or small ones) and chop up and save

This is what it should look like

Roll up and chop ( chiffonade I think its called) some fresh basil, about 6 leaves...this is from my garden!

When onions are tender use a garlic press or really mince 3 cloves of garlic into pan

While that's cooking grind up ( I used coffee grinder) 3/4 cup or a tad more of almonds to make almond meal

Mix the mushrooms and basil in and add some s & p.  Then loosely chop about 6-8 large shrimp and cook until pink.  Add the almond meal and turn the heat off.  Beat one egg in a dish and add about 1/4 cup of almond milk or coconut milk.  Add to the mixture once it has cooled enough that the egg won't cook.  Its meant to bind in oven. 

Stuff the ingredients into your mushroom cap and top with Old Bay Seasoning if you please....

Place in oven at 350 for 30-45 minutes...the longer they cook the Meatier the flesh is....

When they are done take them out to cool and cook your side.  I sauteed sliced onions and minced garlic in olive oil.  Added some kale ( handful) chopped and cooked until slightly wilted.  I added 1/2 cup of white cooking wine and brought to slight boil. Threw in about 16 shrimp for 3 minutes with a splash of almond milk for color.  Seasoned with Old Bay seasoning and voila!

There it is......the best meal ever!

Josh and I both agreed!!!

 Our evening ended reading books with the kids on the couch....so peaceful!

Well goodnight! Super early bed tonight....Josh is feeling the pain of the physical strain the academy puts on you and I am just beat.  These 4 am wake ups are finally wearing thin on me....

OMG OMG OMG.....Are you serious?! A job!?

Day 51-

Ok so Monday....where do I begin!  I have been in a "woe is me" state of mind about a job since we got here.  Yes I had a job through Kelly Educational Staffing for over 160 schools in Duval county.  But I am craving stability right now and a good paycheck so that I can DO things in this beautiful state and area with my children other than sit poolside, ( not like that is sooo bad.)  I have applied to every teaching position in St. John's county, only to received rejection emails stating that they are going to concentrate on applicants in the schools that were laid off, but thank you.  I have applied through Clay county but there is a hiring freeze and Duval county is hiring nobody as well.  I decided to think outside the box and look at private schools, daycares, state funded facilities and even government jobs.  I am still supposed to take that immigrations officer test on Aug 24th....not sure now.  So here is how the morning went...
I woke up to my normal routine, coffee, cleaning, computer, workout plan, chocolate milk for kids, laundry etc.  Linda came over and we did a horrific workout and I am so sore sitting here typing!  4 rounds for time 30 45# good mornings, 30 situps and 30 30 # kettlebell swings.  YIKES....but the scale is starting to love me and so do my clothes.  After I was cleaned and had skyped my parents so the girls could chat with them, I turned the TV off told the girls to play in their room.  I called Ms. Val from Lapetite academy to check on status of when I would interview for the infant room care position I had applied for.  She told me to come interview Thursday but she only had part time.  I was feeling very discouraged and typed "VPK centers in Westside Jacksonville".  Google came back with a list...a pdf list actually with numbers, addresses and what the facilities offered, thank you GOOGLE!  After five centers shot me down I called one called Childtime.  I was excited because it is located on Argyle Boulevard and is down the street from Bay's school La Petite.  This community is upper middle class, absolutely stunning and just so promising.  I called and was greeted by Ms. Jennifer the center director.
"Good morning my name is Christen Suratt, I was calling to see if you have any Lead VPK teacher positions open."
"Yes I do actualy, what are your credentials..."
"Well besides having three children under 5, I have a teaching cert from RI in Early Childhood Special Education.  I am certified birth to grade 3."
"UGH no, RI?  You have nothing in FL?  No CDA?"
"CDA?  What is that?  Can I transfer my RI cert to it?"
"NO its a 120 hour course.  Because I have a special needs student in the room I need a real certified or 120 hour state certified teacher in that room....LIKE NOW....more like YESTERDAY!"
"Wow...so my RI license does nothing?  Not even my bachelors degree?
"... YOUR WHAT?  Bachelors in what?!"
"Early Childhood Speci...."  yes I was cut off LOL
"Wait a minute, you mean you have a bachelors and teaching license from RI....in Early Childhood?"
"yes ma'am..."
"Oh my god....oh my god ok, you don't need the 120 hours then!  You have more than you need, I need your email, I have got to get this assessment done..."
"Is it an online assessment?  I think I just did one when I applied to La petite Academy..."
"YES its the same one?  Did you not pass? Why didn't you get hired there?!"
"They only had 20 hours a week available and yes, Ms. Val said I passed."
"Ok you need to call her and have her fax that over to me ASAP!  I need you in here today for an interview, I want you trained and ready for school next week!"
"Ummm ok!  I will call back after I call her!"

Ok so the call ends and I call ms. Val who was laughing hysterically and more than willing to oblige, she said she would call Jennifer immediately, I later found out the schools are sister schools.  Before I could even really do a happy dance and call my mother and my mother in law to tell them what had happened I received a phone call.

"Christen?"
"That is me, yes?"
"Ok its Jennifer at Childtime, girl you didn't just pass that assessment, Jesus you blew it outta the water, like flying colors lady! Get in here by 1215!  And don't bring a damn thing, Ms. Val is bringing me your resume.   I want you in here!"
Commence jaw falling on the floor, did she really just say damn?  yep.

"Ok I will be there!"

So all the phone calls started, I had to call everyone I could to tell them oh my god I may be a teacher!  In a private Montessori school!

Linda showed up to watch the kids at 12 ( thank you LINDA!!!!)  And I head off to the school.  GORGEOUS, beautiful grounds, beautiful building, clean, bright smelled wonderful!  And Jennifer came rushing to open the door for me, so excited and shook my hand.  She introduced me to a few people and had me sit in her office.  IT WAS A MESS!  She apologized profusely stating the state was coming and she was trying to make sure all paperwork was prepared etc.  She then told me this building is accredited and is the best in Jacksonville.  Her language spoke volumes, " in your room you will do this", "I ordered new furniture for your room".  "Your students will be this group.." etc.  The entire interview was based on what her expectations of me were.  She asked some stereotypical ones,
Strengths- I said, " well one of my strengths is being able to modify and accommodate any curriculum or piece of work to suit the needs of an individual learner".  She laughed, "that's the best answer I think I have ever gotten!"  Weakness, " I work and talk too fast, but I have learned to channel it so I can make sure to teach to every child."   Her response...."Ok wow lady."  She kept checking boxes on a mysterious form saying, "you already told me that, yup I can tell by listening to you, uh huh, yup..."  She told me at the end that I am super outgoing, seem passionate about teaching, and the job was mine if I wanted it.   Ummm YEAH!    She then told me the procedure.... fax my paperwork to HR at the corporate level so she could get final approval ( I am still nervously waiting), hear back from them, get fingerprinted, wait for results, get trained T-Thurs and she wants me in MY classroom by next Friday.  She told me, "don't worry, I have a sub in your room until you can get in their with your students...."   Ummm ok wow!
  "Anything you need for your room just tell me and I will order it."  Holy cow!
"I want all lesson plans in my office by Thursday for the upcoming week, is that feasible?"  Umm YEAH, you didn't have Rowell for a teacher, it's feasible.
Just her speech and the way she spoke told me I have a job....now to wait on all the formalities is killing me!  As I was leaving, Ms. Val showed up with my resume and information!  She said she was so happy that my degree was getting used and that she would have been sad to see me stuck in an infant room only 20 hours a week....such a kind lady.  As I was leaving Jennifer said, " oh wait this is Christen the new Lead VPK teacher I just hired..." and gestured to another woman who I think will be the co-teacher or my assistant in the room.  I was seeing stars so I really didn't look at her tag.  I said hello shook hands...and headed home.  I cried the entire way down Argyle BLVD because I just want so bad for everything to pull through the way it seems to be.  I want no more hiccups!

Ok so there is the story....and not a single pic to go with it....oh wait...maybe one.

I celebrated with a night swim :) 

So we shall see what the week brings....there is so much coming into fruition for us down here.  You have NO idea!!

Relax...it is the weekend!

Day 49 and 50- Weekend News
These two days run into each other because I, never stop moving....literally.  Unless its bed time I do not sit still.  This weekend I tried something different, absolutely nothing.  Made no plans, had no plans, implemented nothing, did nothing, just sat.  Josh had said that he wanted to relax, and that we need to just do nothing for once to get caught up and rested.  The mornings are the same, Jasper up at crack of dawn, iced coffee, Facebook, clean up the house a bit, finish any dishes or laundry pull out meat for dinner, and make chocolate milks for my princesses who wake every morning with the same plea, "mommmma can I have chocolate milk?" The kids played blocks while Jasper looked on curiously.

Saturday, we ran out only for a Rt 44 Diet Limeade from Sonic for Josh and I, a blue slush for the kids, ( drinks are half price there 2-4 so we paid 3 dollars total!) and some eggs from Target, ( yep they have eggs in Super Target).  We went back home to have a quick dip in the pool and start the grill up early for an early meal, about 430-5ish.  Kids were in bed snoring by 7 and Josh and I enjoyed each others company on the porch until 10.  BED.  Sunday was not much different.  Josh awoke to poached eggs and home made sausage patties.  We ran out to the base to get some needed veggies for the week, and then we reorganized and cleaned up the girls room.  They have SOOOOO many books, like more than I can keep up with.  Triple books double books, ripped books, overly loved books, ( Very Hungry Caterpillar).  Just books galore.  So we put them in a broken toy box whose lid no longer is attached, thank you Payton and Baleigh.  We also are utilizing a beautiful wooden high chair my mother and I got at the Pennfield School Green sale.  Right now is is just open faced and has  books in it like a shelf....looks unique and pretty cool!

After we cleaned Josh fired up the grill for our Sunday night grilled meal.  If I had gone to bed Sunday night knowing what would happy Monday....well I probably would not have been able to sleep!   So lets move to Monday....Day 51. 

"You're going to kill me..."

Day 48-FRIIIIDAY!
Well what a glorious day today was!  I awoke to the news which I never watch at all....its so depressing and I don't want to hear all the bad stuff.  Ignorant, yeah maybe.  There was a phenomenal story on this morning though about a man in St. Augustine who lost both legs and one arm in Afghanistan. Amazing story of how a local volunteer group is building him a special home in St. Augustine.  Such a beautiful story, not depressing but I still cried!  Reminds us of all the men and women still over there dealing with these horrible terrorists.  Then I had to hear that there is west nile in our area...lovely.  Then they announced it would be 110 with the heat index and to keep small children and elderly indoors.  Enough said, we stayed in doors.
Linda came over for our workout and to save me with a diet coke ( I ran out of coffee!).  I had the most undesirable workout planned for us today!  I had already done mine since she only has the one barbell and there is no way we would be able to keep up the pace and not fall all over each other doing the workout together.  
"Gator"
Eight rounds for time of:
65 pound Front squat, 5 reps
26 push-ups
I had to modify this because we don't have a 185 pound barbell which is what it calls for.  Besides I am not sure I could do that!?  It still wrecked me and as I sit here I can barely hold my arms up to type.  I was so proud of Linda...she is still new to crossfit and she totally suck it up through it!  Crossfit is designed to exhaust you....I think it did a good job.

"You are going to kill me....or you're trying to anyway."

 So proud...she did all 8 rounds!  We did not time her.  I got mine done in 10m 31s.  Not sure if that is good!  I am just glad I am alive.  That was the other thing I learned today about crossfit.  The "hero" workouts are named for fallen soldiers.  They are designed to remind you that you are still alive and are ABLE to do these workouts, unlike the people they are named for who died fighting for our country.   Next hero workout I do, I will be giving it my all.  Even more than I usually give if that's possible.
We went for a very early morning, (much deserved) swim while it was still in the 80's then set up shop inside.

Painting nails!

I was thrilled to have a visit today from my Nay!  I haven't seen her since her human form left for Jamaica.  Ironically enough she showed up today and I found out that Nay was returning from Jamaica today!  She didn't stick around long since it was over 100 degrees, she must have been looking for somewhere cool to explore.

HI NAY!

Josh got home failry early from the academy.  What a great week for him!  He ran the agility test in 1m 6s and got a 100% on his end of week exam.  So super proud of him!  Jasper has been smiling at everything and non stop!  So here is a big smile for daddy!

Mommy's man!

Despite it being 100 plus degrees outside we had to grill!  We have not had a chance all week...just long days for Josh and he doesn't want to stand out in the heat...don't blame him!  Delicious delicious delicious.  The meat was perfectly cooked and I marinated it in lime vinaigrette I made.  Too die for.

Might seem bland in color...but its beautiful in my mouth! 

We ended our evening on the porch.  It was a gorgeous night once the heat broke and the storms rolled in.  Amazing lightening show and awesome downpours!

Not sure what tomorrow brings.  Depends on a few things like heat, kids behaviors, and our desire to move and motivate!