It's Official

I'm a CrAZy person, working 3 jobs!! For the last 9 months I have been working at Jaime's salon, Par Exsalonce Salon and Day Spa. (She does hair there) I've been working guest relations, and the salon has been so great to work our schedules, making Jaime and I work opposite shifts of each other so she could be my back up babysitter. However, I had to drive about 25 minutes each way, and I'm not having as much fun with it anymore. But I still love the girls I work with.
Yesterday, I started a brand new job that I am super excited about. I am working for my local Chiropractor, Dr. Cook. I will be at the front desk and be a receptionist. But, technically I'll have the title of a "Chiropractic Assistant." or CA. I had a great first day, but have a lot to learn and to get organized. I will start out working Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Dr. Cook is still fairly new, and is building his clientele still. His wonderful wife will be training me. I will have some peace of mind when Riley is back in school, working so close to him. It is literally a small drive across the city of Gardner. Not to mention, the gas I will be saving!! I also turned 26 a little over a year ago, and started to fall apart. A wonderful perk, is free adjustments. That's just what I need for my terrible lower back. I once had a Chiropractor tell me I had flat feet, which was why I thought I had knee and back issues. Yesterday, we took a cool colored picture scan of my feet, and I have nearly perfect arches. YAY!! He's never seen his machine take such a perfect picture. Now, I just have to preserve what I have going for me. =) Well, there are so many perks to working here in town, and Dr. Cook will be flexible with me, and if need be, I can have the boys with me for a while. I'm so excited for this new opportunity that just landed in my lap! Wish me luck.
Lastly, I'm sure you've read my previous blog, I now sell Cookie Lee Jewelry. I have 2 catalog parties going on right now, and I have a few more in the works. What girl doesn't LOVE jewelry?? We'll see. I've gotten several compliments on some of the pieces I've worn, and that is how I got one of my parties booked. I'm just enjoying this as it goes, and we'll see where this takes me. (I might need a little luck there too.)
It sounds like I work around the clock, but it really isn't the case. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I'm working most of the day at the Chiropractors. I'll have my evenings at home. Tuesday nights and every other Sunday (11-6) I'll work at the Salon. This leaves Thursdays and Saturdays open for Jewelry parties and/or family time. Then I'll have every other Sunday for family. It doesn't sound like a lot, until I write this down. We'll see how this goes. This is my first official week on this new schedule, and who knows, maybe it will turn out being okay to just do the CA and jewelry thing? Time will tell.

Happy 2nd Birthday Jaden!!

Happy Birthday to our new nephew, Jaden! We hope you have a great day!

Jaden is the cutie in the adorable, tiny tux. This is the only picture I found where he was almost facing the camera. =D

Good Bye 1st Grade, Hello Summer!!

Last day of school.

First day of school. 8/12/08

What Have I Done?!?!

***This post is really, all about me. Not the most exciting, just thoughts going through my mind at this very moment.***

What have I gotten myself into? I, Jacque, who is very conservative, not a big risk taker, and needs things to be in my control at all times, has signed up to SELL jewelry!!! I was so sure I would NEVER enjoy selling anything. I still don't know if I'll enjoy this, but something got into me and I decided to do it. I hate talking in front of people and being the center of attention. Well, with this jewelry I don't have to do that at all. I also HATE pressuring anyone, or feeling as though I'm being pressured. Also, not what I have to do.

I decided to start selling "Cookie Lee Jewelry." It is very cute jewelry, with a very large variety of styles. If I have a home party, all I do is set up jewelry I have in stock, and let people browse. I take their order, whether it from the catalog or something I have that day. If it is what I have, they can take it home. No presentation, or games, or pressure. Very casual. I don't have to go into a spiel about why I joined.

Why did I do this?? First of all, it is not to replace any of my current income. Second, it is a pyramid scheme, and I have no intention of getting recruits. My hope is just to earn a couple extra bucks each month to help pay off medical bills. Anyone who knows us, understands we have been drowning in medical bills the last 3 years. NOT FUN!! I was on the fence about selling, and honestly was almost positive it would not be for me, but when my friend came to my house, and put on the show, it really looked like something I could do. However, when I officially signed up and hit that "send" button...I panicked!!! I got myself into the unknown! I freaked out and wanted an "undo" button to use. Two days later, a TON of jewelry showed up on my porch. I had fun opening the box, but by the time I was done, I was so overwhelmed, that I put it all back in the box and put it away for a while. I have already had several offers to hold parties. Mostly catalog parties, but that works for me. I am just looking for a great jumping off point. The initial start up is my biggest concern, and I really hope I don't regret this. I am proud of myself for doing something, totally out of my character. So, if there is anyone out there reading this, and wants to have a fun girls night, or an easy catalog party...let me know!!

Speaking of medical bills...We were able to file for financial aid through Children's Mercy. We got a huge bill from them, just for blood work. We got a letter from them this week saying, they took care of all of the bill for us. We will also be taken care of through May 2010, and can then reapply. Oh, that was a great day!! We could not be more grateful and happy about this. Now we just have OP Regional and KUMed to focus on.

Silly random thought of mine. I've always admired teachers. In fact, there was a large part of my life, when I thought I would be one. (Soon after having children of my own, I realized I don't have the patience for other people's kids.) Well, I know they are overworked and underpaid. They are a huge part of our kids lives, and this is SO sad that we can't take better care of them. The other night, Jake and I were watching the NBA playoffs. I LOVE basketball, but a pet peeve of mine is missed free throws. (Unless, you are part of the 2008 Memphis team who helped KU win the championship by missing free throws.) Why are professionals missing so many free throws?? I shouldn't expect perfection, but free throws are free shots!!! My thoughts this particular night were...NBA players should be fined for each missed free throws. Where should this money go? It should go from the overpaid professionals to the underpaid teachers. Wouldn't that be great? I think so. Now, how do we get started on that one???

Happy 12th Birthday Cole!

Happy Birthday to my Nephew Cole! Wish you were closer to celebrate. Have a great day and eat some cake for me!

Field Day

I survived another Field Day. I volunteered for the 2nd year in a row. I give myself a huge pat on the back, because last year I survived an impossible task, on an impossibly windy day. But I went back for more. This year it wasn't the weather that was the issue. It was all of the crying, lazy kids I had to deal with.

Field day isn't anything like it was when I was a kid. It's not competing in Track and Field events for 1st place ribbons. Imagine every PE game you ever played. Now imagine, rotating stations to play these games all day long. It is just a day to be active and have fun. It is not about winning. I only got picturs of Riley playing this game, since this was the station I was working. After seeing each and every kid that goes to this school, I absolutely, 100%, appreciate my wonderful son, Riley. (I don't really need field day to point this out.) I got so much attitude from the other (mostly older) students. I had so many boys start crying because they were tagged. Part of the tag game I was running, involved students needing to exercise if they got tagged. No one did this part without me getting on them. The older the kids got, the lazier they were. It is so pathetic that kids these days are so inactive. Just sad. The worst part was the classes, almost always, reflected the teacher. The teachers that were having fun with the kids had the best classes who were enjoying themselves. The teachers that just sat on the side, and were not at all involved, had kids who were impossible to handle. I love Riley's school and very much appreciate Riley's teachers. I feel as though I have been so lucky, but fear for the day I don't appreciate a teacher he is assigned to. Enough venting. I will volunteer again, and probably be impatient again. Besides, whatever doesn't kill me, will make me stronger. Right?

After all the fun was over, I was able to take Riley home early. His substitute, Ms. Haer, pulled me aside to ask a question. All of the students were tested last week, and out of 68 questions, Riley got 67 right. She said he was in the top 2 of the class. Due to this, she wanted to know if she could buy him McDonalds for lunch tomorrow. How great is that?! I'm so proud of him. His response to this was, "I thought I got all of them right." Funny kid. He gets that from his Dad. While Jake was in school, an A- was very disappointing to him. For me? That would have been a huge triumph.

Happy Birthday Grandma Beggs!!

Happy Birthday Grandma! Here is a picture Riley made for you. We miss and LOVE you!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

I LOVE THESE BOYS!

My day started out with breakfast in bed. I got showered with Mother's Day Cards, and the best part... my gift was this AWESOME necklace with the boys photo. My neighbor made it, and I admit, I pretty much picked out what I wanted for my day. So, I got it. I got so many compliments on it today, I really wish I would've had her cards with me to hand out. She already had the picture I love, (the one at the top of my blog) and was so nice to have it ready by today.

The rest of my day was spent at work, unfortunately. Happy Mother's Day to me!! Even though I had to work today, I am so thankful to have the 2 best boys ever. I can't even discribe how wonderful they are. They are 2 of the most loving kids ever. The other day Riley stood up for Reece while walking home from school. It was pretty cool. They are best friends and I pray it stays this way. They are so at an age, where I wish they would stop getting older. I really want this phase to last longer. That says something about how awesome my boys really are.

I really wish I could've made it down to Wichita to see my Mom. She is one of the most patient moms ever. My boys love to go to her house, and hate when it's time to come back home. I love knowing, she is only a phone call away, whenever life or being mommy gets hard. She is a wonderful Mom, and an even more wonderful Grandma. We love you and can't wait to see you next month. Have a fabulous Day!

Random Reece

A couple days ago, I somehow referred to myself as a "lady."
Reece then said,"You're not a lady. Just other girls are ladies."
"Well, what am I?"
"You're just a Mommy!"

Just last night, we were all watching TV together, and Reece decided he was going to play with my hair. Although, it was a slightly painful experience, I found it quite funny. Then he said the most awesome thing..."There, your hair looks GORGEOUS!" I wasn't sure where he got this, and then he reminded me it was from WALL-E. It was SO funny. But looking in the mirror was not funny. It was just plain scary. Thanks for my makeover Reece.

On another note: We just got notified a couple days ago that the Swine Flu has reached a Gardner school. It is in another elementary school here, thankfully not Riley's. But it is still a scary thought. I'm not freaking out about the flu, just the media obviously shows the worst side of it. I have always taught the boys to cough and sneeze in their arm, and not in their hands. I just keep telling Riley to wash his hands often. Hopefully, we dodge this bullet.

Happy 25th Birthday Aunt Jaime!!!

A.K.A. the boys 2nd Mom...

"Happy Birthday Aunt Jaime! I love you, because you love me."

"I love you to cut my hair, and I look like I'm so cute." (sorry about the audio, this took Reece 8 takes)

Jaime made a special request for a "video birthday wish," and I decided to make it a little extra special. We LoVE Aunt Jaime in this house, and always appreciate how much she helps us out. Thanks for loving my boys, because I know that it is a hard task sometimes. Happy Birthday Jaime, you are now old enough to rent a car! YAY!!