Cake, yummy!

May I say that Avery loooooooooved her birthday cake!

....Ali didn't mind it either! 

Happy Birthday, Avery Coy!

so yeah and stuff

So I am not totally devoted to this blogging thing like I used to be anymore.  Yes, I love to stalk my bloggy friends' lives... but I only have a spare moment to do that every once in a blue moon... and you can imagine how much time I have to actually sit down and write on this thing.  In fact, the only reason I am doing it now is because I have been grading freshman research papers for the last 2 hours and I need something, anything, to get me away from them!  They are sucking my will to live...

but anyway.  things are good with me and my famdamily.  Hubs and I are back on track.  It took me a really long time, but I finally came up with a good way to approach him that would not be hostile or accusatory.  We had a really good conversation- turns out he had a few issues with me too (like that could really happen?).  But yea, nothing like a good talk to clear the air and get us back on the same team.

And my BABY AVERY COY turns 1 YEAR OLD TOMORROW!  Can you believe it people!?  I can't - man  a year flew by.  CRAZY.  Absolutely bizzaro! makes me a teeny bit sad that this is the last time I will experience a cute chubby baby of my own...

But anyway- since she was born on Cinco de Mayo, we have decided to host a family birthday party with all the taco fixins. YUMMY and so much fun!  I'm thankful her birthday falls on this holiday as I oh so love because it gives me an excuse every year for a FIESTA!!!!

Hopefully I can find sometime to post on all that she is doing these days... but that will have to wait for another day... the research paper zombies are coming for me....

May is Melanoma Awareness Month

The Funk

...so I've kinda been M.I.A. on this blog for a bit of time... and I'm sure you are waiting with baited breath for me to tell you some really exciting or depressing or crazy dramatic reason why.  Well, be disappointed, people. Because unfortunately, my life isn't that awesome, or crazy, or dramatic.

I am, however, feeling like I am in a funk.  An emotional funk.  I'm feeling burnt out on my relationship with my husband.  Not like I want to leave him, or that I don't want to love him anymore or anything... not like that at all. But more like frustrated because everything that frustrates me, and has always frustrated me about him. still frustrates me.  And it never changes. And I don't know how to change it.  And that makes me feel like I'm in a never ending funk. 

I just don't know how to sort out my feelings and figure out how to feel better in my heart.  It's like I'm living with this personal push and pull and I'm not sure who to talk to about it or how to make it better. 
Oh, I hear you saying- talk to your husband!!  Duh! He's the one making you feel this way! He will understand, and work with you to make it better!  Riiiighhht.  The reason I don't talk to KK, is because I don't feel like fighting, and that is exactly what happens every single time that I try to express to him how I am feeling. 
And I suck at fighting.  I suck because I never say what I'm feeling- or I say it too bluntly, and end of either offending him, or making him defensive.  I guess I suck at expressing myself in a way that gets my point across, but doesn't come across as accusatory or condescending. 
So, that is why, my peeps, I'm stuck in a funk.
 And I don't know how to get out of it.

Save $$; Save Gas!

...I apologize for my lack of blogging lately (not that anyone has noticed)... I will return shortly to catch up on life in Jelli's World.. but for now... I want to pass on some much needed tips for saving gas from a great blog called Frugal Mom!

5 Easy Ways to Save at the Gas Pump





Unless you’ve been hiding away in some remote and exotic location, you are more than aware that gas prices are surging. Currently the average cost of gas per gallon is $4 nationwide, but experts suggest prices could continue to increase. Here are some simple tips to help you save a bundle on gas.






1. Go Green






Leave your car in the garage and practice green modes of transportation. Walking and bicycling are often practical alternatives to driving, not to mention great exercise. Use public transportation or carpool with friends and co-workers whenever possible.






2. Ease off the Lead foot






This might be a little difficult for those who are used to driving fast, but this is the easiest way to save on gas. Speedy drivers burn more fuel at a faster rate, so do your absolute best to drive the speed limit. In addition, anticipate your stops more effectively. Accelerating to high speeds and then breaking suddenly is also one of the easiest ways to waste fuel (many people stuck in traffic jams drive like this). If you see that there is a standstill ahead, simply release your foot off of the break so your vehicle naturally decelerates on its own. If you’re the type who happens to have a heavy foot, consider using cruise control—it helps you maintain a constant speed.






3. Lose the Excess Weight






Clean out your car and empty the trunk—you can keep your spare tire, but get rid of all the excess junk. The more your car weighs, the more you will need to accelerate to get the car going. Accelerating excessively burns gas at a quicker pace. Excess weight affects smaller vehicles more, but every bit helps.






4. Fill up in the Early A.M.






To get a better bang for your buck it’s generally best to not only fill up, but to do so in the morning. Gas is cooler in the mornings and therefore it is more dense. As the day warms up, the gas expands and becomes less concentrated. If you fill up your tank in the heat of the day, the gas can expand and potentially overflow.






5. Skip the A.C. and Turn off the Car






If the weather permits, crack open a window. Constantly using the A.C. eats up your gas in no time, so let in some fresh air. If you live in an area where turning off the A.C. is impossible, then at least park in a shaded area so your car doesn’t have to work so hard to cool down. It’s also a good idea to turn off your A.C. a few minutes before you reach your final destination. It’s equally important that you don’t leave your car idle—turn it completely off. According to experts, leaving your car idle for just 3 minutes can waste about a half-mile worth of fuel. Consider this when going through a packed fast food drive through.






Additional tips:






Always remember to use your shoppers discount card for additional savings.


Make sure your fuel cap is ok–you don’t want to risk losing gas due to evaporation.


Know the best gas prices. Gasbuddy.com is a great resource for finding the best prices in your area.


Know how many miles you have left when your gas light comes on. Visit TankonEmpty.com for more information–you might have far more than you think

Monday = Snotday

As I sit at home on a Monday... with one baby in her crib, sick,covered in snot, and another baby sitting on the couch watching her beloved "Shrek"... I feel so happy for my girls.
Ali is turning out to be the sweetest little thing.  She is so thankful and kind and, I think, wise beyond her years.  She responds when I simply speak to her if she is being naughty (which I must remember because I do admit to yelling out of frustration way more than I should).   She tells me constantly: "thank you for making my life happy, Momma".  I mean, seriously- that is the nicest thing ANYONE in my life has ever said to me.  I make her life happy!  I make her feel glad and she loves ME!  That means so much to my soul.
Avery is just as fabulous.  At 10 months, her personality is starting to come through.. and I think we've got a little spitfire angel on our hands! She is quite opinionated and sassy.. but also very sweet and such a momma's girl (yes!).
And while I feel a bit guilty because I hate to miss work... I really am loving these precious moments with my girls.  I was reading this post over at a great blog called "The Little Brown House" today and it totally hit me in my heart.
Some days, I do get bored taking care of my girls and the monotony that comes with having a toddler and a baby.  Some days, I wish for my solidarity and freedom to be myself again. Some days, I find myself wishing for nap time or bedtime or wanting to go to work to have that ME time (ok- work isn't really ME time.. since I pretty much am a mom to 150 14-16 yr olds but you get it).
But other days, I find myself almost having a panic attack when I think about people saying "enjoy every moment, because you blink and they're grown"... and I don't want to blink and have my girls be grown! I want this time to go slow. I want to cherish every moment that I have with my girls and be thankful for it and love it.  I love them so much. They bring so much to my life and make me feel love..and loved.. beyond anything I could ever explain (if you're a mom you know what I'm talking about).  I just hope that I can drink in every.single.day. Every moment. Every memory. And not forget the little things- good and bad- about raising these girls. 
They are such a blessing to me. They warm up my heart and I just want to squeeze them until they are a part of me.  I hope they know that- even when I'm not the nicest mom- I hope they feel the depth of my love.

Sweet Blog!

I bought a super cute ring for super cheap from Pursenickety about 3 weeks ago for a friend's birthday... the ring is adorable and now everybody wants one (according to my friend).  So I wanted to share the blog with you, plus she's currently holding a giveaway!  Checkity check it!  They've got purses, necklaces, and other cute stuff!

Blessings

I am participating in a (much needed) "Blessings" blogpost project from Marla over at Blue Skies Photography. "Each week, we will post a list of our blessings, along with at least one picture. I want Wednesday to become a day where we reflect on our lives and realize we truly are blessed even when things are rough."

So here is my list of blessings for today.

1. My job.  Although I am disheartened at the current state of education in Idaho, I still thank God that I have a job that provides me an income, as well as health insurance.  Besides all the politics that come with education, I do love my students and my workplace, and the people I work with, very much

2. My sweet baby girls. They are so happy and healthy and smart, and they make my heart happy every moment that I think of them.

3.  My hubs. We have a stable marriage, and we are in love. And for that, I am immeasurably grateful.

4. And this week especially, I am so blessed with my Daddy.  He recently retired from his law practice after 34 years. We are celebrating his life's work on Friday.  He's the best.

A heavy heart

Today, in Idaho, the state in which my husband and I both teach and plan (or planned?) to raise our family... some legislation was passed similiar to what is happening in Wisconsin.  Our legislation passed a bill taht will essentially take all teachers' job security away It will take away due process, tenure, as well as our right to negotiate salary and working environment.  Here is a sickingly true spoof I copied from a teacher/blogger in the southern half of my state:

If all of these bills pass then I think that I will have captured the essence of the future outcomes in the following Teacher Recruitment Ad.







IDAHO TEACHERS NEEDED–COME TO BEAUTIFUL IDAHO WHERE CORPORATE AMERICA RATES …FIRST–TEACHERS WILL ENJOY THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES






BEGINNING SALARY OF $30,000/YEAR WITH NO ANTICIPATED INCREASES FOR SIX YEARS. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MAY QUALIFY FOR FOOD STAMPS, MEDICADE, AND FREE OR REDUCEd SCHOOL LUNCHES.


ENJOY THE CHALLENGE OF NEEDING TO WORK AT ONE OR TWO MORE JOBS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY.


EXPERIENCE THE CHALLENGE OF LARGE SIZE CLASSES WITH FIVE OR SIX SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS IN THE MIX.


N RURAL DISTRICTS YOUR CONTRACT MIGHT BE TERMINATED IN EARLY OCTOBER IF DISTRICT FUNDING IS CUT.


IN CASE OF DISPUTES ARISING FROM YOUR ASSIGNMENT YOU HAVE NO DUE PROCESS PROTECTION.


UNDER PAY FOR PERFORMANCE YOU ARE HELD ONE HUDRED PERCENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR IMPROVING STUDENT PERFORMANCE. I


IN YOUR SPARE TIME YOU CAN LISTEN TO INSPIRATIONAL SPEECHES BY OUR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.


CONTRIBUTE TO HELPING MOVING IDAHO INTO A THIRD WORLD EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE IDAHO SPI–BUT SEND A SELF ADDRESSED AND STAMPED ENVELOPE.

My heart hurts. I do not know at this point what the future holds for my family.  I am uncertain of what moves I or KK need to take in order to ensure we can pay all our bills and keep our family afloat. Please pray for all of us. Pray that I continue to put my faith in God's plan for my life.

Free expression

This is a picture I took of Ali on Sunday morning... I had left her upstairs putting her babies "to nappy time" in my bedroom. She was also playing with her pink purse, which apparently was filled with (unbeknown to myself or her father) magic markers.



(her girlie parts have been blurred out to protect her privacy)

Miss Ali was pretty proud of herself when she walked downstairs into the living room... that is until her Dad said "Oh Myyy Looooord, Alison"... and then she started crying! I guess she punished herself, because her dad and I were laughing too hard to say anything else!

My Sweet 1st Born

Two nights ago, as I was tucking Miss Alison Elizabeth into bed she said to me:

"Mommy? Thank you for making my heart happy."

It is moments such as this I remember everything in which I have to be thankful.

It is the small things that make you feel so big.

Year 29

We celebrated my 29th birthday on Monday, and I wanted to make a list of goals for the last year of my roaring 20s.  This is a sporadic list  (in random order) of what I want to work on, and keep myself accountable too.   At this point in my life, I want to make solid, attainable goals and achieve them!

1.  My first priority is me.  I want to be healthier and more active. 
2.  Incorporate activity and exercise into my every day routine- and no longer look at exercise as a sporadic chore
3.  Take more pride in my appearance and buy up to date clothing/accessories that make me feel good about how I look
4.  Really listen to my husband and take time to cherish him.  I chose him to be my life partner, and I need to put more time and energy into that commitment
5.  Spend more time with God, at church, and in the Word. Nourish a Christian relationship in my home and be an example to my spouse and children
6.  Research and work hard on being a better parent and find a constructive way to discipline
7. Give more energy and dedication to my job and my students. Be more innovative and give everything to my lesson planning and teaching to create a better environment for learning
8. Be an optimist. Focus on the positive and BE THANKFUL for everything I do have. Do not give my mind over to the negative or self loathing
9. Slow down and cherish my life

Mother's Song

Ali watches Disney Junior every morning... and every time this poem is read, I find myself with tears on my face.
It is so beautiful!  I am going to frame it to hang in both girls' rooms.
fast forward to :38 to get to the poem:)



Mother's Song
a Traditional Lullaby
(read by Jennifer Garner)

My heart is like a fountain true
That flows and flows with love to you.
As chirps the lark unto the tree
...So chirps my pretty babe to me.

There's not a rose where'er I seek,
As comely as my baby's cheek.
There's not a comb of honey-bee,
So full of sweets as babe to me.

There's not a star that shines on high,
Is brighter than my baby's eye.
There's not a boat upon the sea,
Can dance as baby does to me.

No silk was ever spun so fine
As is the hair of baby mine.
My baby smells more sweet to me
Than smells in spring the elder tree.

A little fish swims in the well,
So in my heart does baby dwell.
A little flower blows on the tree,
My baby is the flower to me.

The Queen has sceptre, crown and ball,
You are my sceptre, crown and all.
For all her robes of royal silk,
More fair your skin, as white as milk.

Ten thousand parks where deer do run,
Ten thousand roses in the sun,
Ten thousand pearls beneath the sea,
My babe more precious is to me.

Ali's Haircut and my birthday

Ali bananas got her 1st "official" haircut last week!  It was time to cut off that slightly curly, kinda nappy baby hair that was always getting tangled...

I took her to my good friend, Jen, who has been cutting my hair for years.  She did so great! She held really still and felt so cool - it was adorable.  We decided to add some bangs, too!

She's pretty sassy since the haircut.. not sure if we're now in Ms. Independent Terrible Twos, or if the haircut has gone to her head !

...and on another note. Monday is my 29th (gulp) birthday.  And let me tell you- since having my 2nd child, I really am starting to feel my age. I have become more nerdy, less trendy, and definitely not young, cool,or hip (like I ever was.. but less so now than ever!)

So here's my dream list of gifts I wish I would receive for my 29th year of life:

The iphone 4

A kindle, or any other hand-held reading device

An ipad

Xbox 360 with Kinect

A pair of BKE dark jeans with white stitching

A full night's sleep withOUT a 2 year old in my bed

(Almost) Famous

Some pretty crappy things are going through the legislature in Idaho right now concerning education. A local reporter came to the high school that I teach at yesterday and did a news piece focusing on the issues... and filmed ME teaching in my classroom !
If you click on the link below, there is a little video in the top left corner of his article. The blond teaching in the classroom that they show is ME in action!
...let me say I was sooo proud of my kiddos for behaving ! :)


Teachers Fired Up Over Idaho Education Reform Proposal

An interesting device

So a couple of weeks ago I was contacted by CSN stores to do a product review.. and let me tell you, it was hard for me to narrow it down on what to pick.  I wanted to pick something for myself, because I always seem to get a toy for the kids, which they totally do not need. 

What I ended up getting is this :

Ok, so I know you are asking yourself what in the world is that thing... and those of you with dirty minds are going there...but what it is is a "Backnobber", and what it does is you hook it over your shoulder like so:

and what it does is press on your "trigger points" ( i.e. knots) and release them!  You can also use it on your neck, lower back, and butt...And let me tell you- I love the thing!  I have had a bad back FOREVER (being as I had size E boobs back in the day before I had reduction surgery in 2004) and am constantly begging my husband to rub out my knots or using a door jam.  This thing works great, it's totally convienient to use and it's actually helping my back feel better! I'm so obsessed with it that I even started bringing it with me to work (yeah, I'm cool like that). 

If you want to get one for yourself or someone you love who has a messed up back like I do.. go here to check it out!  Or you can go here to the product's website for more info!

Bath Time!

 OH how I love to give my sweet little ladies a bath! They are adorable and have so much fun in the bath together.. Ali makes Avery laugh every time.. and they actually can play for a good span of time (we're talking 15- 20 minutes of uninterrupted fun!)  Ali's into putting bubbles on Avery's head- and thankfully Avery obliges :)  I also LOVE bath time because I get to sit next to the tub ( I had written sit on the toilet and read, but that just didn't come across right)  and read for at least 10 minutes... I love to read and am so glad to have some of that leisure time (HA!) back!

How to Clean your dishwasher

Anyone that knows me knows I am a germ-a-phobe clean-freak.... seriously I cannot go a day without cleaning something in my house. It's a little bit of an obsession, and I'm working on it!

Anyway... I came across this article from alice.com (which if you don't know what Alice is, go visit her! AWESOME site to find organic cleaning products, among other things- and free shipping!!!)

..by the way I went and did this to MY dishwasher yesterday (with a flashlight, mind you)... and I am happy to report it wasn't that bad :)

Did you know it’s actually necessary to clean your dishwasher? Ugh, I know. It should clean itself! Like ovens! But just in case you’re so inclined to ensure that your dishwasher actually runs effectively and efficiently… and make sure your dishes are cleaner and fresher, do follow these steps from Apartment Therapy:


 
1. Run your dishwasher or wait until just after you’ve ran a cycle. Empty dishwasher.






2. Remove the racks. Check the spinning arms to make sure all the holes are open so water can run through them freely. Clear out any debris that has built up in the holes of the spinning arm. Needle nose pliers, a toothpick, or any other small pointy tool should work (be careful not to scratch the spinning arms).






3. Clean under the bottom of the door. In some dishwashers, this is a spot where water doesn’t go, so it can accumulate debris. Wipe this off. Inspect the floor of your dishwasher, around the drain where the wastewater exits. There will be a grate or grill around it, under the arm. Look for debris clogging up this area and remove any solid matter that has built up. If you have a filter, like I do, remove and dissemble the parts in your sink.






4. Remove any food remnants. Using a soft toothbrush, wash filter parts with a baking soda paste or soapy water. Do the same thing on the inside where the drain is. Reassemble and replace all parts.






5. Wipe around the seal with a damp cloth soaked in white vinegar. For tighter areas, you can use a toothbrush or q-tip.






6. Wipe around the edges and sides of the machine.






7. Remove the utensil holders and racks. Check them for any stuck-on food pieces and then wipe down.






8. Remove hard water deposits/scale by running one cycle of your dishwasher empty, with distilled white vinegar. Do this after you’ve done the other cleaning steps, so that it will also take care of anything you missed during cleaning. Add 2 cups of vinegar to the bottom and turn the machine on to an energy saving or low wash. Stop the machine mid-wash, so the vinegar can set on the bottom and work. Let it stand for about 20 minutes, then turn on to finish cycle.






If you have rust stains, you can tackle them with a dishwasher-safe rust remover. If the finish is chipping or flaking off the wire baskets in your dishwasher, try a sealant made just for dishwasher racks.






If you have problems with mold and mildew, bleach will work effectively by adding ½-1 cup in the bottom of the dishwasher and run a full cycle. (NOTE: DO NOT USE BLEACH IN YOUR DISHWASHER IF YOU HAVE A STAINLESS STEEL INTERIOR).






9. Clean the buttons and panel thoroughly.






10. Spray the handle and front of your dishwasher with a mild spray cleaner or stainless steel cleaner, depending on the type of dishwasher you have. I find microfiber cloths work best for stainless steel and always wipe with the grain. To obtain a streak-free finish, spray cleaner on one towel and wipe on. Go behind with the second towel and wipe off.

So let me tell you...

I swear, these dirty, germy high schoolers, along with the germs my children bring home from daycare... are going to be the death of me! 
Since December 26th, I have been sick every.single.day.  And not with the same illness, mind you, but a fun, colorful rainbow of them.  Which is totally weird for me because I don't normally find myself a sickly person. Granted, I need to get myself a flu shot, and should have done so months ago- but yadda yadda I'm busy, blah blah... and NOW I can't get WELL ENOUGH to get the damn shot, further preventing myself from detracting below mentioned illnesses!

I am attributing it to the fact that I (a) am around lots o germs beings as a teach in a high school with a 65% poverty population (b) send both of my children to childcare 5 days a week (c) do not get entirely enough un-interrupted sleep a night.

So, without further ado: a list of the various sicknesses I have been living with in the last 3 weeks:

• A fever of 99-101 degrees with no other symptoms for 10 days straight that developed into...
• A dry, unproductive cough for 1 week
• On Saturday, I had the runs and threw up 1 time, but did not feel sick
• Today, I woke up with my right nostril plugged and an itchy right eye and the sneezes

And with an unsympathetic husband and children, it's been Good times I tell ya, good times.



...and now for two completely unrelated pictures of my darlin family:

A day off?

Happy Monday!! I am enjoying a fabulous day off from work... and really wishing I had Monday's off- I could get used to this!  Seriously, it is amazing how much a girl can get done with an extra day to do it!

My sweet babes are taking a nap; I am getting ready to mop the orange juice I spilled off the floor... and I'm excited because CSN stores has asked me to do a product review!
Now... what to review, what to review?  It is so hard to decide, because they've got website for everything from baby toys, to interior upkeep, even a laptop messenger bag that the hubby has decided is a must have (but don't worry, I'm NOT going to order something for him... I'm doing this one for myself!!)

So hop on over to csn.com, check out their amazing websites and cheap products.. and stayed tuned for my review of some fun item I decide to review!

Where has the time gone?

So, I pretty much suck at keeping my blog updated as of late.  Yadda, yadda,, I'm super busy with work and raising kids and being a wife and all that jazz... plus, when I have free time, I just don't like being at my computer!
So here's a random bullet list of what's been up with the jelli family..

• Christmas was super fun, family time.  Ali still doesn't get the concept of Santa yet, but she did enjoy ripping wrapping paper from presents- and exclaimed "I'm so excited!" each time she opened a present
• KK and I got a night out on New Year's Eve- my parents took the girls over night and we went to dinner and a movie. It was very relaxing, and so nice to spend time with my husband. I really love that guy- I'm so glad he's mine! 
• Avery is 8 months old already- and is 22 lbs of love and is such a mellow, happy baby- much like her big sister was. 
• Ali drives Avery bananas- but does try to love her and be kind to her, in her own 2 year old big sister way... Avery screams every time Ali comes near- kinda funny and maybe setting a precedent for the rest of their childhood!
• Ali is the cutest 2 year old ever- I love each phase, but year 2 has been pretty hilarious! She's pretty smart and sassy, and I love to hear what she comes up with!  She told me yesterday that she needs to shut up... even though she doesn't know what the word means and was told that it is a bad word and we should never say it- I got a kick outta that one
• I feel pretty awesome because I got 2 pairs of jeans and 6 sweaters (all name brand!) at Goodwill for $40!  I love a good bargain!
• I have a student-teacher every other day at school- she will take over my classroom in 2 weeks... giving me some time to catch up on lesson planning (and reading some books in the library) and I am so looking forward to that much needed breather
• I am currently starting  a war with the neighbor who lives behind us.  We have been friendly up to this point.. but she stays home and is some what (uh hum) entitled.  She called me the other day to complain that the 2 days we left our dog outside last week he barked for 20 minutes, waking her up. This was at 7:00 in the morning... and considering that I get my ass outta bed every day at 5 to be at work by 7, I just don't have any sympathy at all for her.  So basically I'm leaving the dog out, and I'm sure she's stinkin pissed, and I'm so not looking forward to the confrontation/awkward neighborhood drama that is going to come with this one- I'm usually one to let stupid crap like this go... but it's the principal of it- princess!
• I'm a pretty happy camper these days.  Things are good with work- I'm not feeling so burdened with everything... and things are great with the kids and the hubster.  I live a blessed life and am pretty dang thankful!
• I hope to keep this thing more up to date- it's hard to know where to start when you get so behind, sheesh!
• I hope some of my fav blogs (you know who you are) would keep their blogs updated too- I miss you guys!